Ryle de Morny crowned King of the Beach after sprint victory

Ryle de Morny produced a sprinting master class to roll back the years and once again be crowned South Africa's King of the Beach when it comes to sprinting.

Kings Beach in Gqeberha was the appropriate venue for the return of South Africa’s sprinting royalty as De Morny, the country's most decorated male sprinter, turned up the heat as he sizzled to victory in the final of the senior men’s beach sprint on the opening day of the DHL Lifesaving South Africa seniors and juniors National Club Championship.

De Morny’s decade of lifesaving success has been celebrated in the colours of False Bay, but in 2022 he was representing Durban Surf and the investment in De Morny’s switch of clubs produced the desired winning result.

PIC: Anthony Grote/LSA

The King of the Beach was back and again beating longtime friend, club, provincial and international team mate Chevon Clarke, who recently was a medal winner at the Africa Lifesaving Championships in Egypt.

The duo will battle for honours in the flags discipline, but De Morny continued to show his longevity and world class athletic ability in winning the sprint title, especially given a very understated build-up to the competition.

PIC: Anthony Grote/LSA

While De Morny was reminding everyone of his vintage and a decade of glorious sprint victories, teen sensation Tatum Botha was providing confirmation that she is the real deal and all power in doing the seemingly impossible and winning the u19 Iron title and an hour later claiming a dramatic victory in the seniors Iron title in defeating the favourite Amica de Jager.

Botha is just 17 years-old and it is testimony to her ability that she is competing in certain senior events, but to actually beat De Jager is without doubt her most famous win.