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South Africans from all walks of life were elated after swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker captured the country's first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, at the same time smashing the 200m women's breaststroke record on Friday.
Schoenmaker was in disbelief after shattering the eight-year record with her time of 2:18.95, saying the superb winning feel was "indescribable".
LIVE | Tokyo Olympics Day 7: GOLD and a new world record for Tatjana Schoenmaker
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tweeted Schoenmaker saying, "You're an absolute star."
Congratulations, @TRSchoenmaker on your golden performance in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic pool. Following your silver medal, you have now struck gold, with a world record as a crowning glory. You’re an absolute star. Well done! South Africa celebrates with you. pic.twitter.com/s912pJ0SwB
— Cyril Ramaphosa ???? #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 30, 2021
Fellow South Africans were also swept up in the current of emotion, as politicians, personalities and regular people paid homage to Schoenmaker's incredible exploits at what has so far been a tough Games for Team SA.
Team SA has so far accumulated three medals in Schoenmaker's silver and gold as well as Bianca Buitendag's surfing silver medal.
Congratulations @TRSchoenmaker on going for gold! You are a living legend and proof that South Africa is indeed a nation of winners. We applaud you. You came, you saw, you conquered. ????#TeamSA #TatjanaSchoenmaker #TokyoOlympics #WorldRecord pic.twitter.com/9V8cOnSXvK
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) July 30, 2021
Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa and MEC for Education in Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi also hopped on board to congratulate Schoenmaker.
Fellow South Africans, remember this name #TatjanaSchoenmaker our silver medalist ???? #TokyoOlympics2020 We just call her Shoeeessss! pic.twitter.com/CGhrkVg3Sk
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) July 27, 2021
Popular talk show host and television personality Bongani Bingwa and a variety of sports personalities also climbed in, showing their delight at Schoenmaker's achievement.
Congratulations!#TatjanaSchoenmaker#TeamSA #TokyoOlympics
— Bongani Bingwa (@bonglez) July 30, 2021
She just lifted the spirit of a nation! Her life won’t ever be the same again! pic.twitter.com/6HyaKlaAzm
GOLD! AND a new World Record 2:18.95 in the Women's 200m Breaststroke ???????? #TatjanaSchoenmaker #TeamSA
— Julia Stuart (@JuliaStuart_SA) July 30, 2021
CHAMPION!!!! ????????
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) July 30, 2021
NEW WORLD RECORD!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS Tatjana Schoenmaker!!!!
Women's 200m Breaststroke Final#TokyoOlympics #TatjanaSchoenmaker
The official Olympics twitter account encapsulated what every South African was feeling in post that simply said: 'All of the feels [heart and crying emoji]'
All of the feels. ♥??? pic.twitter.com/RhZDMkQHBT
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 30, 2021
