GOLDEN GIRLS

Photos: AFP By: IOL reporter

Tatjana Schoenmaker, Lara van Niekerk and Kaylene Corbett all lit up the swimming pool at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

SWIMMING sensation Tatjana Schoenmaker further solidified her legacy as one of the best swimmers South Africa has produced by retaining her 200m breaststroke title at the 2022 Commonwealth games.

The 200m world record-holder was in top form edging out Jenna Strauch from Australia and fellow South African swimmer Kaylene Corbett with the time of 2:21.92 to secure her third Commonwealth Gold medal. The 25-year-old produced a masterclass in the pool following on from her world record-breaking performance at the Tokyo Olympics last year.

Schoenmaker went into the games as one of South Africa’s top medal prospects and didn’t disappoint.

The South African squad had, for the first time in history, more female than male representatives and is the most transformed squad in the country’s history at a multi-code Games.

Teen swimming sensation Lara van Niekerk also powered to gold in Birmingham, claiming the 50m breaststroke title.

Schoenmaker finished fourth in 30.41 and Corbett sixth in 31.10.

“It felt amazing, the crowd was going wild, so I knew it was going to be close. But I was just happy that I could swim the second fastest time I’ve ever done and to win a medal is a bonus so I’m super-happy,” said the beaming 19-year-old Van Niekerk.

Olympic champion Schoenmaker was thrilled for her teammate to claim the first medal of the Games for the country.

“It’s obviously amazing,” said a thrilled Schoenmaker. “Four years ago Kaylene was standing in the crowd and she’s always crying for me so for me it was the happiest moment. I really didn’t care what my result was – I was so happy for her to win her first international medal and then the blessing is to share that podium.

“We’re always supporting women, so it’s great to have a woman grab the first one. We can just be so proud of them. Being the senior now in the group it’s nice to see the juniors come up and take the win.

“We’re so proud to wear the green and gold but being able to sing that anthem together, we just felt united with our country in that moment,” she added.

RIGHT: Gold medallist Tatjana Schoenmaker (L) and bronze medallist Kaylene Corbett celebrate after the 200m breaststroke swimming final at the Commonwealth Games.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Silver medallist South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker (L) congratulates South Africa’s Lara van Niekerk on winning the women’s 100m breaststroke swimming final at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker competes to win and take the gold medal in the women’s 200m breaststroke swimming final at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England.