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Tatjana SmithSouth African swimmer
Date of Birth: 09.07.1997
Country:  South Africa |
Content:
- Tatiana Schoenmaker: The Rise of a South African Swimming Superstar
- International Success and African Records
- Breakthrough at the World Championships
- Olympic Triumph and World Record
- Marital Status and New Name
Tatiana Schoenmaker: The Rise of a South African Swimming Superstar
Early Promise and SetbacksTatiana Schoenmaker, a South African swimmer, first burst onto the scene in 2015, sweeping all three breaststroke events at the national championships. However, despite her domestic success, she missed out on qualifying for the 2015 World Championships in Kazan. In 2016, Schoenmaker again fell short of making the Olympic team for the Rio Games.
International Success and African Records
Undeterred, Schoenmaker began to make significant improvements in the next Olympic cycle, establishing herself as one of South Africa's leading female swimmers. She earned her first major international accolade at the 2017 Summer Universiade, taking silver in the 200-meter breaststroke behind reigning world champion Kanako Watanabe of Japan. The following season, she solidified her top status by winning two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and setting new African records in both the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke events.
Breakthrough at the World Championships
2019 proved to be a watershed year for Schoenmaker. At the World University Games, the 22-year-old claimed gold in both her signature distances. She also showcased her prowess at the World Championships in Gwangju, reaching the 100-meter breaststroke final and finishing sixth. However, it was in the 200-meter breaststroke where Schoenmaker made a truly historic impact. She broke the African record in the semifinals (2:21.79) and then claimed silver in the final, behind only Russia's Yulia Efimova. It marked South Africa's first-ever medal in women's breaststroke at a World Championships.
Olympic Triumph and World Record
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics, postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic, became another triumph for Schoenmaker. On July 27, she finished second in the 100-meter breaststroke behind teenage sensation Lydia Jacoby of the United States, but ahead of Olympic champion Lilly King. Days later, on July 30, Schoenmaker surged to victory in the 200-meter breaststroke, becoming an Olympic champion and setting a new world record, eclipsing the previous marks held by King and Annie Lazor.
Marital Status and New Name
In November 2023, Schoenmaker married Joel Smith and began competing under her new married name, Tatiana Schoenmaker-Smith.
