Tatjana Schoenmaker set the third fastest qualifying time in the 100m breaststroke final at the World Championships in Japan.
The South African, an Olympic silver medalist in this event, finished second in her semi-final race with a time of 1:05.53. Earlier, a qualifying round time of 1:05.56 also made her smile.
“It was my fastest time since the Olympics and I was very pleased with it. This meant that I could enjoy the action in the semi-final and final because I had already achieved a good time in the qualifying round.”
Schoenmaker said earlier that the World Championship is a good starting block on the way to the Olympic Games, but that success – or disappointment – in Japan will not necessarily mean a similar result in France.
In the run-up to today’s finals, she admitted that there is still room for improvement.
“There are definitely some small technical things I can work on, but good rest is just as important.”
Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte swam a top qualifying time of 1:05.09, while the exciting Lara van Niekerk had to settle for a time of 1:07.03.
The final of the 100m breaststroke event will be decided today at 14:45 (SA time).
