Two seconds faster is the challenge that awaits the World Championship silver medallist Tatjana Schoenmaker when she competes in the 200m-breaststroke during the Tokyo Olympic Games.  

It is tempting to tip the Tuks swimmer as a possible medal Olympic medal contender after her 200m-breaststroke heroics of last year. She became the first South African female swimmer to medal at a long course (50m) World Championships. Another highlight was winning gold at a World Cup-event as well as the World Student Games. 

Rocco Meiring (Tuks swimming head coach) however believes in first things first. Therefore he does not want to contemplate as to what might or might not happen in Tokyo.

He believes that Schoenmaker's success is due to her being able to stick to "The Plan". One goal at a time. Regularly swimming times faster than the Olympic qualification A-standard (2:25.52) – ticked. Getting her degree - ticked. Becoming financially independent - ticked.

The big goal now is to qualify for the 200m-breaststroke final during the Olympic Games. According to Meiring, nothing can be taken for granted. During last year's World Championships the Tuks swimmer improved her best time to 2:21.79. 

"The same time is not going to get her to the Olympic final. Tatjana will need to improve by nearly two seconds. That is massive. In swimming terms, we are talking about four metres," the Tuks coach explained.

"Russia's Yuliya Efimova won the 200m-breaststroke World-title swimming 2:20.17. Annie Lazor (USA) swam 2:20.77 last year. I won't be surprised if they are capable of swimming even faster times.

"There are other swimmers that are equally as fast. My gut feel is that whoever wants to qualify for the Olympic final will have to dip under 2:21.00. To medal might mean even quicker times.

"Most swimmers tend to swim their best times in the heats or semis. Tatjana swam the 2:21.79 in the semifinal. In the World Championship final, she clocked 2:22.52. It is going to take a mind shift change to realise once you qualified for the final the real challenge awaits. You got to be faster."

One of Meiring's concerns is Schoenmaker's lack of international experience. 

"Last year was the first time she competed at a World Championships. Before the start of the final, it was noticeable that she had a severe case of the jitters. For a moment, I was worried that she might false start. Luckily she did not. 

"You can't ever coach experience as there is no way to emulate what might happen during a final. The more Tatjana get to compete in major finals, the more confident she will get about her abilities."

According to Meiring, breaststroke is one of the most challenging events. 

"Tatjana's execution of her technique is going to be of cardinal importance. Breaststroke is all about perfect timing. Once you lose your rhythm, your race is over."

Kaylene Corbett could be the other Tuks swimmer to compete in the 200m-breaststroke in Tokyo.