Dylan Bettencourt
Tatjana Schoenmaker and Kaylene Corbett have both won their respective semi-finals to advance to the 200m breaststroke final scheduled for 3:41am Friday.
Schoenmaker qualified fastest and Corbett qualified fourth fastest.
The 24-year-old Schoenmaker is competing in her first Olympic games and has already cemented herself as a national hero in South Africa after claiming the nation’s first medal of the games. She is the overwhelming favourite to claim gold come Friday morning in what would be a stellar achievement.
Schoenmaker broke the Olympic record during the qualifier heats with Corbett swimming a personal best in a surprise performance during the qualifying heats.
The 22-year-old Corbett is punching above her weight after winning her semi-final and is looking to spring further surprises with a podium spot in the final.
A tearful Corbett spoke of beating her personal best time: “I’m just so thankful. I just came here to swim my personal best. God has taken me above what I thought He was going to do,” she said.
“I’ve been one step off from my personal best for two years and a bit discouraged. So coming here, watching my friends and seeing the emotion, I thought that’s what I wanted from my Olympics and this experience.”
South Africa can without a doubt expect to see their nation earn more medals when Schoenmaker and Corbett take to their 200m breaststroke final.
Image source: @AndrewBinner
