It was a golden start for Team South Africa at the 21st Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast. South African Olympic triathlete, Henri Schoeman, bagged the country’s first gold medal.
Schoeman broke away on the run leg to beat local favourite, Jacob Birthwhistle, while Marc Austin of Scotland claimed bronze. South African swimmer, Tatjana Schoenmaker, set a new African record in her 50m breaststroke heat.
A new Africa record for @TRSchoenmaker Tatjana Schoenmaker in the 50m breaststroke this morning in the heats. She posted a PB of 30.92 to qualify for the semifinals. pic.twitter.com/OkTNCyJprm
— TeamSouthAfrica (@TeamSA18) April 5, 2018
England favourite, Allister Brownlee was first out of the water after a 750 metres swim but Schoeman was hot on his heels.
In the 20 kilometer cycling, Brownlee and his brother, Jonathan, stayed ahead in the leading group. However, Schoeman and another South African, Richard Murray, continued the chase.
Schoeman finally pulled away in the 5 kilometer run and finished the event in a gold-winning time of 52 minutes and 31 seconds. Seven seconds ahead of Birthwhistle with Austin taking the bronze.
Murray finished in 6th place ahead of the legendary Allister Brownlee in 7th. It was Schoeman’s second big medal-win.He also bagged the bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Durbanite will next be in action in the team relay on Saturday. The South Africans won the silver at the 2014 Games in Glasgow.
Congratulations to #HenriSchoeman winning the triathlon and Team SA’s first gold medal at the #CG2018. pic.twitter.com/KBCoYml8Kq
— Sandile van Heerden (@SandilevHeerden) April 5, 2018