Erin Gallagher won South Africa's second medal at the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China, with a second-place finish in the women's 50-meter butterfly.

The Tuks student-athlete has twice improved the South African record. In the heats, she won swimming 25.71s. She was even faster in the final 25.66s. China's Yufei Zhang won in a time of 25.20 seconds. Italy's Viola di Scotto won bronze in 26.01s.

Gallagher's heroics prove there is no substitute for hard work and dedication. She makes no secret that what motivates her is constantly pushing herself to be faster today than she was yesterday. It is why she swims for hours most days.

This year she focused on becoming stronger in the water and on minor technical aspects to improve her kick. Gallagher is making a habit of medaling in the 50-meter butterfly. Last year, during the Birmingham Commonwealth, she also won silver.

Kaylene Corbett, another Commonwealth Games medalist, assured that she will contest tomorrow's 100-meter breaststroke final by winning her heat in 1:08.77. It was the second-fastest in the semi-finals. The Tuks swimmer could have had a better start, but she made up for it with good stroke technique.

Hannah Pearse (Tuks) finished sixth in the 200-meter backstroke final. Her time was 2:12.37. China's Liu Yaxin won in 2:08.18.