“I surprised a lot of people”: 18-year-old Lara van Niekerk stuns even Olympian Tatjana Schoenmaker at SA Championships
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Lara van Niekerk
18-year-old swimming superstar Lara van Niekerk made quite the impact at the ongoing South African Swimming Championships, leaving even Olympic star Tatjana Schoenmaker in surprise.
The youngster beat the experienced Schoenmaker in the 100m breaststroke event in Gqeberha on Saturday. Van Niekerk managed to reach the turn first and hold on at the 50m mark, and finished with a personal best time of 1.05.67. Schoenmaker finished second, with 1.06.06.
The time set by Lara makes her the second fastest time in the world as of this year, as only 0.45 seconds off what Schoenmaker swam to win a silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
Young Lara van Niekerk stuns crowd; qualifies for World Championships and Commonwealth Games
Lara admitted to being nervous before the race, especially as she was going up against an Olympic silver medallist. “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,” said van Niekerk to news24.com.
The adrenaline was high for van Niekerk, as the race went by in a blur for her. She could not even understand when she had finished the race, and what relation she had with Schoenmaker. “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. She has now achieved World Championship and Commonwealth Games qualification times in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events.
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Saivee Phatak
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