Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa astonished the world when she set a new Olympic record in the women's 100m breaststroke on Sunday at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
Schoenmaker, who was swimming out of lane 5, was the first to touch the wall in her heat, with a time of 1:04.82 to earn a spot in Monday's semi-final.
"That was completely unexpected. I thought I was going to die when I realized I was ahead since I was going way too fast at the end and thought I could just hang on "Schoenmaker commented after her world-record-breaking effort.
"I could tell they were catching up at the end, and I was starting to become exhausted... That surprised me, and I'm pleased with it as a first race."
Schoenmaker stunned a world-class field, including world-record holder Lily King of the United States, who placed first in her heat (1:05.55) and had previously held the Olympic record of 1:04.93.
Schoenmaker, 24, was concerned that she had started out too strong, but she claims that her first hurdle has already been overcome.
"At the end of the day, I felt a little exhausted. My stroke rate was significantly higher, and I felt like I finished strong. I'm not sure what time I went out, but it was definitely my personal best "Schoenmaker, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist in the 100m and 200m breaststroke, said.
"I'm satisfied with my time, and I feel like it's lifted a weight off my shoulders, allowing me to focus on racing like the greatest in the world."
When she participates in the semi-finals on Monday at 02:50, the South African will have a rapid turnaround (SA time).
Schoenmaker claims that she did what she came here to do and that she will walk with a grin on her face no matter what happens.
"I gave it my all right now, and my next race may not be as good, but I came here and swam a personal best," she added.
"So I'll be able to go away with a wider smile because there are still two races left." There will undoubtedly be some surprises in the other races. "All I want is a lane in the final." I'd be so delighted if I could just try to race the same race tomorrow."
So far, Team South Africa has had a bad start, with Schoenmaker being the only South African to win and be in contention for an Olympic medal.
"Now I can finally go to my friends and say I'm an Olympian," exclaimed Schoenmaker.
"This just makes it very official, it's just so amazing to be a part of it."
*Lynn Butler is in Tokyo covering the Olympic Games for Sport24
No comments:
Post a Comment