Tatjana Schoenmaker’s sister spoke exclusively to Good Things Guy after the 24-year-old broke an Olympic Record yesterday.
Gauteng, South Africa (26 July 2021) – Emotional, ecstatic, and speechless. That’s how the family of the 24-year-old swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker felt after she etched her name in Olympic history on Sunday afternoon when she set a record in the 100m breaststroke at 1:04:82.
She had two foremost American challengers in her aftermath. However, she bet them all.
The South African swimmer then advanced to the women’s 100m breaststroke final after finishing first in the semi-final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo early on Monday morning (SA time).
In an exclusive interview with Good Things Guy, Tatjana’s sister, Fabienne, mentioned that they’re extremely happy and sad all at once.
“We wanted to be there so bad, but we can’t. We’re there in spirit,” Fabienne said.
“We’re rooting for you live through television. I’m very emotional. You make us so proud.”
Though Schoenmaker comes amongst the SA medal nominees, it was essential for her to live through her first two swims in Japan.

Photo: Supplied
Earlier this morning, Schoenmaker won the second semi-final in a time of 1.05.07.
Fabienne, who is living in Krugersdorp, South Africa, further said:
“I have so much trust in my sister, and she is so powerful and does everything so effortlessly, so for me that gives me a lot of confidence in her and yeah, I really think she can bring back the gold medal.”
Though, it has been a hard beginning for South Africans at the Games. Nevertheless, they got certain striking outcomes yesterday, including Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, who got 13th position in the women’s road cycling race, and surfer Bianca Buitendag. She was competent for the last 16. Another participant in the pool from South Africa was Pieter Coetze. He finished 100m backstroke heats at the end within a time of 54:05.
South Africa’s golden boy, Chad le Clos, will be in the pool this afternoon.
Edit: Chad le Clos claimed fifth place in the Men’s 200m butterfly with a time of 00:01:55:96.