Tatjana Schoenmaker won the women’s 200m breaststroke on Friday in a world record time of 2:18.95 to deliver South Africa’s first gold medal of the Tokyo Games.
That’s Incredible! #RSA Tatjana Shoenmaker set a new World Record touching home in 2:18.95!
Congratulations to the new Olympic Champion of the 200m Breast #swimming pic.twitter.com/eibECdJ68h— FINA (@fina1908) July 30, 2021
US swimmers Lilly King and Annie Lazor took the silver and bronze medals.
Schoenmaker, who had already claimed silver in the 100m breaststroke on Tuesday, powered to the finish 0.97 seconds ahead of King.
A moment #TeamSA #gold #olympics pic.twitter.com/MrUFmupfEf
— My mother’s spawn (@TraceyManus) July 30, 2021
We had to wake up early to witness the World Record being broken ???❤️ #TeamSA ?? pic.twitter.com/Gs0K7XiUZU
— Katlego Nakedi✨ (@KatNaks7) July 30, 2021
The 24-year-old’s victory marked the second African gold medal in the pool following Tunisian Ahmed Hafnaoui’s success in the men’s 400m freestyle on Sunday.
King led until the 150m turn when Schoenmaker went in front and then delivered a powerful final length to smash the world record and grab gold.
