By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Tatjana Schoenmaker claimed South Africa’s first Olympic medal in Tokyo as she took silver in the women’s 100m breaststroke final on Tuesday.
Swimming in lane four, Schoenmaker got off to a hot start, as she was the first swimmer to turn at the half-way point.
However, 17-year-old American Lydia Jacoby soared to take the gold in a time of 1:04.95.
“It was crazy. I was definitely racing for a medal. I knew that I had it in me,” said Jacoby.
“I wasn’t really expecting a gold medal. So, when I looked up and saw that scoreboard I was insane.”
Schoenmaker touched the wall 0.27 seconds later as the South African clinched silver in 1:05.22.
Favourite and world record holder Lily King rounded up the podium with a bronze medal (1:05.54).
Schoenmaker made history on Tuesday by becoming the first South African female swimmer to win an Olympic medal since Penny Heyns’ bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Schoenmaker, who is a favourite for the 200m breaststroke, was delighted to medal in her Olympic debut.
“At the end, I was dying a little, but it was very hard to focus on your race completely,” said Schoenmaker on Tuesday.
“I did see Lily on the side, but on the [other] side, I was completely blocked. I was completely tired. I know I gave my best.
“I literally couldn’t give any more, so I’m very happy. I was not ranked in a medal position coming in, so walking out with a medal is amazing. I swam a PB in the heat and I could’ve left it like that.”
Despite her race being in the wee hours of the morning in South Africa, a delighted Schoenmaker hopes that the silver medal brings joy to the Rainbow Nation.
“It’s amazing, I really hope it brings hope to South Africa because we’re obviously going through a tough time at the moment,” said Schoenmaker.
Schoenmaker will now turn her attention to the 200m breaststroke heats, scheduled for Wednesday (12:49 SA time).