Tatjana Schoenmaker in record-breaking form in Tokyo Olympic trials

The 2021 SA National Aquatic Championships, which will serve as the nation’s primary Olympic selection meet, kicked off at Newton Park pool in Gqeberha on Wednesday.

READ | GOLDEN GIRL OF ITALIAN SWIMMING BOOKS SPOT AT 5TH OLYMPICS

Highlighting the evening’s finals on Day 1 was 23-year-old Tatjana Schoenmaker in the women’s 50 breaststroke.

She broke her own South African national record and African continental record with a winning time of 30.32.

During the morning’s heats, Tatjana Schoenmaker first dove under her former mark with a 30.42, shaving a tenth off her 30.52 national record from the 2020 NTS Championships this past December.

Schoenmaker is now the 23rd-fastest event performer all-time and moved up to No 2 in the world for the 2020/21 season.

The women’s 50m breaststroke is not an Olympic event.

READ | OVERSEAS FANS BANNED FROM ATTENDING TOKYO OLYMPICS

Placing second to Tatjana Schoenmaker was 17-year-old Lara van Niekerk at 31.03.

She currently holds the 17-year-old South African age record at 30.58, also from the 2020 NTS Championships, which ranks her fifth in the world this season.

Caitlin de Lange completed the podium in 31.87.

Thursday’s Day 2 heats will start at 09:30 with the finals set to begin at 18:00.