Tatjana Schoenmaker concluded a unique hat trick this afternoon by winning gold in the 200-metre breaststroke at the Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Japan. It is the first time the 26-year-old Tuks swimmer has won a gold medal at the World Championships. The last time she competed, she won silver.

Last year, Schoenmaker won gold in the 200-metre breaststroke during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. In 2021, in Tokyo, she sped to Olympic gold, which was also a first for her.

Schoenmaker won this afternoon in a time of 2:20.80. Kate Douglas (USA) was second in 2:21.23, and Tes Schouten (Netherlands) was third in 2:21.63. The defending world champion, Lily King (USA), finished fourth in 2:22.25.

The final played out as the pundits predicted. As the real racer she is, King started out fast to touch the wall first in the 50 metres. But from then on, there was no stopping Schoenmaker. She took the lead after about 70 metres and never relented. Over the last 50 metres, nobody could keep up with her stroke rate.

An emotional happy Schoenmaker said afterwards that the last two years since the Olympic Games had been an emotional roller coaster ride.

"It is why I am grateful for having an opportunity to race some of the best swimmers 'tonight'. 
"Coming from the 100-metre breaststroke is always a bit nerve-wracking. Knowing that you had to swim an extra 100 metres I went into this race wanting to have fun racing."

On Tuesday, Schoenmaker won silver in the 100-metre breaststroke swimming 1:05.84.