Tatjana Shoemaker in action. (Photo: Argieffoto/Anthony Wallace/AFP. )
Tatjana Schoenmaker is again the national 100 m breaststroke champion after she swam away with the laurels at the South African Championships in Gqeberha.
The 25-year-old swimming sensation won with a superb time of 1:05.89; currently the second best time in the world in this event for 2023.
Lara van Niekerk, the defending champion and Commonwealth Games star, was second in a time of 1:06.74.
According to Schoenmaker, she is especially good because she swam faster than 1:06.
“It didn’t really matter to me whether I came first, second or last; it’s nice to achieve your personal goals. I swam 1:04.8 at the Tokyo Olympics and since then I have struggled to finish under 1:06 again,” she said.
“When I train, my times looked very good, but I just couldn’t swim a similar time at an official race. I am very satisfied with this performance.”
In the backstroke event, the talented Pieter Coetzé ran amok once again.
The young Pretoriaran improved his own national and African record in the 100 m backstroke event to 52.78 s. He set the previous record of 52.95 s during last year’s Junior World Championships.
“Time-wise, I honestly had no expectations because it is still very early in the season. Needless to say, I am very happy with this show. It’s good to start the season on such a note and it makes me excited for the rest of the year,” said Coetzé.
He has said before that his sights are set on an Olympic gold medal.
Pieter Coetze, Tatjana Schoenmaker Post Quick 100s on Opening Day of South African Championships – https://t.co/3frPq4OALu pic.twitter.com/4XecKuUZOc
— Swimming World (@SwimmingWorld) April 12, 2023
