Michael Houlie (2018B) is back on the top step of the podium, delivering a golden performance in the 50m breaststroke at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Friday, 9 October.

There was no need to hold his breath for long. Houlie powered his way to gold in the men's 50m breaststroke final, touching the wall in an impressive 25.67 seconds to claim victory and underline his return to top form on the international swimming circuit. His achievement is another proud moment for South African swimming and the Bishops Old Diocesan community.

The Cape Town-born swimmer's victory was the culmination of a strong day's racing in Tashkent. Having qualified fastest in the morning heats in 25.82 seconds, Houlie found another gear when it mattered most, finishing ahead of Russia's Kirill Prigoda and the Netherlands' Caspar Corbeau. That is racing at its finest: finding the extra speed when the medals are on the line.

Houlie's latest success is another chapter in a remarkable swimming journey that began during his school years at Bishops.

He first made international headlines in 2018, winning gold in the 50m breaststroke at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

Houlie continued to develop his craft in the United States, earning a swimming scholarship to the University of Tennessee. Competing for the Tennessee Volunteers, he established himself as one of the programme's leading breaststrokers, earned All-America honours and contributed to successful medley relay teams.

The Uzbekistan triumph follows an excellent 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow, where Houlie won silver in the men's 50m breaststroke in 26.77 seconds. He also collected medals in the medley relays, helping South Africa make its presence felt in the pool.

From the Bishops pool to the international stage in Uzbekistan, Michael Houlie is proving that he remains very much on form and continues to do South Africa proud.