SHE DID ZIM PROUD

TATJANA SCHOENMAKER provided a timely boost to the struggling Team SA in Tokyo on Sunday, smashing the SA, African and Olympic record in the 100m breaststroke to lay down a marker at these Games.

The 24-year-old took almost a full second off her previous best time to win her heat in 1:04.82 to qualify fastest for Monday’s semifinals.

“I didn’t expect that at all — wow. When I saw I was ahead I thought I’d be dying in the second 50m because I thought I’m obviously going out way too fast. But I just tried to hold one and was pretty tired at the end,” an elated Schoenmaker said afterwards.

A mark of just how fast the Pretoria swimmer went out was the fact that her time at the turn of 30.21 seconds was also a new national and continental record for the 50m breaststroke.

“I’m already happy with that as a first race and it takes a big mountain off my shoulders so now I can just enjoy racing the world’s best. I’m excited to see how the other girls are going to swim as well,” she added as American Lilly King, who famously claimed the American women could sweep the gold medals in the women’s swimming events at these Games, walked past and congratulated the South African. King, who is the world record holder in the 100m breaststroke, won her heat in 1:05.55.

“I just gave my best. My next race might not be as great but I know I came and swam a PB so for me I could walk away here with the biggest smile,” continued Schoenmaker. “There are obviously two more races. I think there are going to be a lot of surprises. There have been surprises in other races so we never know what will happen. I just want to get a lane in the final.”

After Sunday’s performance, Schoenmaker is the second-fastest 100m breaststroker in the world this year — and the 100m is not even her main event at these Games. That’s the 200m breaststroke which kicks off on Wednesday, but Sunday’s performance is a good indicator of the type of form the double Commonwealth Games champion and world championships silver medallist is in.