Lara van Niekerk stunned Olympic star Tatjana Schoenmaker to claim the 100m breaststroke title at the SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Saturday, 9 April 2022.
The 18-year-old speedster reached the turn first and held on in the second 50m to touch in a lifetime best of 1:05.67 with Schoenmaker second in 1:06.06.
It’s a time that sees her second fastest in the world this year and also just .45 of a second off the time that Schoenmaker swam on her way to a silver medal in the event at the Olympics last year. Schoenmaker’s best time, however, came in the heats of the Tokyo Games where she set an Olympic record of 1:04.82.
“I was expecting a 1:05 but not that quick. I was expecting a 1:05.9 so I’m super-happy. I surprised myself and I think a lot of people in the stands,” admitted an elated van Niekerk afterwards.
“I was really nervous before, just knowing she’s an Olympic silver medallist in the 100 and she’s always very strong coming back. I always go out fast, so I knew coming back I had to go into another gear and just try my best and keep holding on so I’m really happy.”
Even though she was swimming in the lane next to her, van Niekerk wasn’t aware of where Schoenmaker was in relation to her.
“I actually couldn’t see her at all. I just heard everyone in the stands going crazy and I knew it must be really close. I can’t remember much of the race – I think I just had so much adrenaline,” added van Niekerk who has now achieved World Championship and Commonwealth Games qualification times in the 50 and 100m breaststroke.
Meanwhile, having already secured qualification in the 200m freestyle, Aimee Canny was looking to do the same in the 100m event. She reached the wall in 54.71 ahead of Erin Gallagher (54.73) to just miss the mark by .46 of a second.
Hannah Pearse claimed the 200, backstroke title in 2:15.78, while Rebecca Meder claimed top honours in the 200m individual medley in 2:15.01.
Swimming continues at the Newton Park swimming pool on Sunday and finishing on Monday, 11 April.
Swimmers Setting Qualification Times for Commonwealth Games and FINA World Championships Thus Far:
Aimee Canny (200m freestyle)
Emma Chelius (50m freestyle)
Kaylene Corbett (200m breaststroke)
Tatjana Schoenmaker (50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke)
Lara van Niekerk (50m and 100m breaststroke)
Photo 1 Caption: Lara van Niekerk stunned Olympic star Tatjana Schoenmaker to claim the 100m breaststroke title at the SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Saturday, 9 April 2022. Photo: Supplied
With editing by gsport
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