South Africa ecstatic over Tatjana Schoenmaker’s Olympics gold medal
The 24 year-old from Pretoria won South Africa’s first gold medal after beating American duo Lily King and Annie Lazor to the finish.
DURBAN, July 30 (ANA) – South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker cheered the nation on Friday — as it grapples with the aftermath of recent riots — when she broke the world record in the women’s 200m breaststroke on her way to winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
The 24 year-old from Pretoria won South Africa’s first gold medal after beating American duo Lily King and Annie Lazor to the finish.
Schoenmaker trailed 17 year-old King for the first 150 metres of the race but touched the wall and gained momentum during the final 50 metres. As her strokes shortened during the final 25 metres, Schoenmaker passed the American to claim her first Olympic gold.
Schoenmaker’s emotional reaction after the race showed how much the win meant to her and Team South Africa. She beat the previous record set by Danish swimmer Rikke Moller Pedersen in Barcelona in 2013.
South Africa’s Minister of Sports Nathi Mthethwa and a host of public figures, commended Schoenmaker for her win.
“Congratulations Tatjana Schoenmaker on going for gold! You are a living legend and proof that South Africa is indeed a nation of winners. We applaud you. You came, you saw, you conquered,” Mthethwa said in a statement on Friday morning.
Former South African gold medalist and icon Penny Heyns said she was speechless as the win was the first gold for a South African female swimmer in 25 years.
Heyns also congratulated Schoenmaker’s coach Rocco Meiring.
South African’s Finance Minister Tito Mboweni also took to Twitter to congratulate Schoenmaker.
“’I am an Olympian’” she says. Very true. Well Done,” Mboweni posted.
Western Cape premier Alan Winde called it an “incredible achievement”.
“Well done Tatjana Schoenmaker, we are so proud of you! Congratulations on setting a new world record and for winning gold,” he said.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa
