Posted on July 25, 2021
South Africa's Tatjana Schoenmaker set a new Olympic and Africa record today in Tokyo when she won her 100m-breaststroke heat in a time of 1:04.82.
It means Schoenmaker is now ranked in the top ten of FINA's all-time list in the 100m-breaststroke and the 200m-breaststroke.
Only four female swimmers ever recorded faster times in the 100m breaststroke. The world record is held by Lily King (USA). She swam 1:04.13 in 2017. Ruta Meilutyte (Lithaue) swam 1:04.35 in 2013; Yulia Efimova (Russia) 1:04.35 in 2017 and Jessica Hardy (USA) 1:04.45 in 2009.
Both King en Efimova is also competing in Tokyo. King was the third-fastest today, winning her heat in 1:05.55, while Efimova clocked a time of 1:06.21 to win her heat. Lydia Jacoby (USA) was the second-fastest today swimming 1:05.52.
Over the last 50 metres, it seemed as if Schoenmaker might lose her swimming cap. But she was so focussed that it did not seem to faze her.
"Very happy" is how the Tuks based swimmer described her feelings afterwards.
"I did not expect to be this fast. I decided beforehand that I would give it my all as it was the first time I raced at the Olympic Games. It was essential to see if I can keep my pace until the end.
"Tomorrow's semi-finals are going to be tough. Many of the 'girls' are going to be faster tomorrow than they were today. It means I will have to be at my best again. The aim is to get a lane in the final."
It is speculated that Schoenmaker can be the first South African female swimmer to medal at the Olympics since Penny Heyns.
"I am aware that many people expect me to medal, but I try not to think about it. I am here to do my best. That is all I can do. My main focus always is to be faster. It should be remembered that the 200m-breaststroke is actually my better event."
Heyns won the 100m and 200m-breaststroke during the 1996 Atlanta Games. In 2000 at the Sydney Games, she won a bronze medal in 100m breaststroke. It was the last time a South African female swimmer medalled at the Games.
According to the Tuks based swimmer, Chad le Clos plays a significant role in ensuring that South Africa's younger swimmers nerves don't get the better of them.
"Nothing seems to faze Chad, and that rubs off on us."
Schoenmaker's timeline of competing in the 100m-breaststroke makes for exciting reading. In 2017 she ranked 120th in the 100m-breaststroke with the best time of 1:07.44. In 2018 she was 25th with a best time of 1:06.41, and in 2019 16th, having swum 1:06.32.
Due to the Covid Pandemic, Schoenmaker did not really compete in long course galas (50-metre pool) last year. But this year, she has been faster each time she dived in. In February, in Stellenbosch, she swam 1:05.74. Two months later, in April, she again set an Africa-record swimming 1:05.74 in Gqeberha.
Schoenmaker is currently the world's fastest female swimmer in the 200m-breaststroke, winning in April at a time of 2:20.17. Only six women have ever been faster.
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