Van der Burgh's journey in swimming started early. He took up the sport at age 10. His mother has been the most influential person in his career. He idolised South African swimmer Penny Heyns. Despite facing injuries, including a shoulder injury in 2014 and a broken ankle at age 16, he persevered.

Achievements and Awards

In 2011, van der Burgh was named Swimmer of the Year at the Swimming South Africa Annual Aquatic Awards. He earned the title of Sportsman of the Year at the 2013 South African Sports Awards. In 2014, he received a Presidential award and an Order of Ikhamanga for his excellence in sport.

International Success

Van der Burgh became the first man to earn four world championship medals in the 50m breaststroke by winning gold at the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona. He had previously claimed gold in 2009 and bronze in both 2007 and 2011. He later won silver in 2015 and another bronze in 2017.

Retirement

In December 2018, van der Burgh announced his retirement from competitive swimming after winning gold in the 100m breaststroke at the World Short Course Championships in Hangzhou, China. He expressed satisfaction with ending his career on a high note.

Post-Retirement Activities

Since retiring, van der Burgh has remained active within the swimming community. In September 2018, he began serving on the newly formed Swimming SA Athletes' Committee. He has also pursued further education, studying investment management at the University of South Africa.

Personal Life

Van der Burgh resides in London with his wife Nefeli. Besides swimming, his hobbies include Olympic sports, football, rugby, current affairs, business, travel, cooking, fashion, and public speaking. He is fluent in Afrikaans and English.

Motto and Philosophy

Van der Burgh's sporting philosophy is simple: "Remember why you started in the sport and what made you fall in love with it in the first place." This motto has guided him throughout his career and continues to inspire him post-retirement.

Cameron van der Burgh's legacy in swimming is marked by his achievements and dedication to the sport. His journey from a young swimmer to a world champion serves as an inspiration for many aspiring athletes.