Lifesaver and swimmer Jade Antunes' trove of medals is getting fuller by the day.

The UCT third-year student in occupational therapy recently added a bronze medal from the World Rescue Championships in Germany, where South Africa finished fourth overall, to her cache. And now Antunes is training hard for three international competitions next year in Durban, China and Canada.

So far this year, Antunes has collected around 32 medals in the provincial and national championships. She was also rewarded with selection to the provincial and national teams.

Antunes attributes her success to a combination of love of the sport and hard work.

"I think I'm naturally competitive," she explains. "It is hard to train, but the end results make it worthwhile."