After Tatiana Schoenmaker ended a protracted drought with an explosive breakthrough a few years ago, raising her hand as South Africa’s first world-class swimmer in two decades, it was unclear whether she was a one-time anomaly. But any fears that pool medals would run out when Schoenmaker retired were allayed by the country’s latest swimming sensation, 19-year-old Lara van Niekerk. ALSO READ: A Closer Look at South Africa’s Latest Swimming Sensation At the turn of the century, South African women made a real impact, led by two-time Olympic champion breaststroke swimmer Penny Haynes. Haynes once called it…
After Tatiana Schoenmaker ended a protracted drought with an explosive breakthrough a few years ago, raising her hand as South Africa’s first world-class swimmer in two decades, it was unclear whether she was a one-time anomaly.
But any fears that pool medals would run out when Schoenmaker retired were allayed by the country’s latest swimming sensation, 19-year-old Lara van Niekerk.
ALSO READ: A Closer Look at South Africa’s Latest Swimming Sensation
At the turn of the century, South African women made a real impact, led by two-time Olympic breaststroke swimmer Penny Haynes.
However, after Haynes announced her retirement, no one stood in her way until Schoenmaker won the first ever South African Women’s World Championship medal in 2019 and won two medals at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, breaking the world record. at a distance of 200 m breaststroke. process.
And although Schoenmaker seemed a shadow of her former self in Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last week – perhaps more concerned about defending her title at the 2024 Olympics in Paris – Van Niekerk made up for it in spectacular fashion.
By ensuring we don’t have to wait another 20 years for the next talent to show up, Van Niekerk isn’t just showing promise by pursuing Schoenmaker. She’s beaten her so many times this year that her respected compatriot looks relatively mediocre.
Born in Polokwane, Van Niekerk met coach Eugene da Ponte at the age of eight while a student at the independent Curro Heuvelcruin School.
Training with her mentor from Pretoria, she was able to connect with some of the country’s top swimmers, including Schoenmaker, and Van Niekerk later moved to the capital to be closer to Da Ponte.
Through a combination of her surroundings and her commitment to the sport, Van Niekerk quickly rose through the ranks in swimming, and by the time she reached her teens, she had already made a splash internationally.
She won five medals at the 2017 African Junior Championships in Cairo at the age of 13, and the following year she won four golds at the African Championships in Algeria against seniors.
Rising star
However, it was last year that she became known as a potential future champion at the highest sporting level.
A breaststroke specialist, she broke the African 50m short course record by touching the wall in 29.85 at the 2021 South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg, and then set a new 50m mark in the continental long course of 29.88 at Northern Tigers. Championship in Pretoria in December.
At this season’s national championships, held in Geberch in April, she broke her own long distance record by stopping the clock at 29.72 and stunned Schoenmaker by winning the South African titles in the 50m and 100m.
Proving she was the real deal, Van Niekerk won the only national medal at the FINA World Championships in Budapest last month, taking bronze in the 50m final.
However, despite all her previous accomplishments, Van Niekerk admitted she was a bit overwhelmed after winning double gold in the 50m and 100m at the Commonwealth Games last week and South African swimmers taking all three gold medals in the women’s breaststroke. .
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“I can’t believe I’m a two-time Commonwealth Champion. I don’t think it’s ever realized,” she said after winning the 100m.
“I’m so happy after the World Cup to achieve this, it means a lot.”
Schoenmaker has been smiling from ear to ear since her last loss to Van Niekerk, beaming with her junior compatriot’s potential.
“It’s so nice to be on the podium right now and watch young swimmers win medals. I am honored to share this moment with her,” said Schoenmaker, finishing second in the 100m final in Birmingham.
“Hopefully still ahead. I don’t know how long I’ll be on the podium, but as long as they (junior swimmers) stay, everything is fine.”
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Although she finished ahead of her multiple times in championship races this year, Van Niekerk remained modest about Schoenmaker, insisting that she remains a driving force in her career.
No matter how many times she touches the wall in front of her, Van Niekerk will always thank Schoenmaker for giving her the confidence she needs to perform at her best.
“Over the years, she has always been my role model,” Van Niekerk said.
“Growing up and being around her really inspired me and showed me what I can achieve.”
