Peter Duncan
Billy Steuart, Anthony Briscoe, Aubrey Burer and Peter Duncan at the Summit Club indoor pool in Hillbrow.
Peter John Duncan was born in Pretoria in 1935.
In the 1950 South African Swimming Championships in held in Kimberley, Peter won the Junior Boys 220-yard freestyle, in 2:26,8. The men's event was won by Ernie Ricklan in 2:16, 5, with Graham Johnston, Donald Johnston and Les Klenerman following him.
At the 1951 Championships in East London, Peter beat Klenerman and Graham Johnston to win the men's 220-yard freestyle Championship event. He also won the Junior Boys race. He also beat Johnston in the 440-yard freestyle and lost the 1650 to Johnston by 0,2 seconds.
By 1952, some men had left South Africa to swim for the University of Oklahoma in the United States and were absent from the National Championships. peter Duncan won the 200, 400 and 1650-yard freestyle events before he too went to the University of Oklahoma at the end of the year. In the NCAA he was an All-American in 1954, 55 and 56.
Peter had the following podium finishes at major championships: 2nd in the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games 1650 yards Freestyle, 3rd in the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games 4x220 yards Freestyle Relay (with Dennis Ford, Graham Johnston, and Billy Steuart). In the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games 440 yards freestyle Duncan finished fourth. He also swam at the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games, finishing 4th in the 440-yard freestyle at Helsinki in 1952.
Peter Duncan to the left of coach Cecil Colwin. Olympic medallists Sue Roberts and Natalie Myburgh are in the front row.
23rd January 1951 in Witbank.
South African Swimming Championships held in East London in 1951, where Peter Duncan challenged the legendary Graham Johnston in the 1650 yard freestyle. Johnston went on the win the event at the 1952 Empire Games, beating Duncan into second place.
Peter Duncan congratulated by Les Klenerman in February 1951.
