[imagesource: Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times]

South Africa has a gold medal to celebrate.

Excuse us, rest of the world, because celebrate we will.

I don’t know why, but given what’s happened in our country over the past few weeks, months, and years, this just feels good.

In case you’re really playing catch-up, 24-year-old Tatjana Schoenmaker powered to victory in the 200m breaststroke earlier this morning, and she did so quicker than any woman in history.

Schoenmaker finished in a stunning 2:18.95, beating a world record that has stood since 2013.

Before we see her reaction, I want to acknowledge this man, who went through the full range of emotions as the race drew to a close:

Yeeeeeees🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾a world record, I couldn’t hold myself 🙈#TatjanaSchoenmaker #Tatjana #Schoenmaker #Olympics #OlympicGames #TeamSA 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/effM56Knvb

— Bulelani Mpengesi (@Buja3D) July 30, 2021

Then, the exact moment that Schoenmaker realised she was both a gold medallist and a world record holder:

🥇 South Africa’s first gold medal at #Tokyo2020

⏱ A new World Record.

👏 What a moment as Tatjana Schoenmaker realized what she achieved.pic.twitter.com/B3eZgIuVaY

— PEAK (@ThePeakSA) July 30, 2021

Go on, watch it again.

Here’s a slightly longer, slightly grainier version of the moment:

We should also give credit to the other South African in the final, Kaylene Corbett, who finished in fifth place.

A medal double-up would have been lovely, but coming fifth in the world is nothing to be scoffed at.

After the race, Corbett was full of praise for the gold medallist, with both saying they are as close as sisters. This from SuperSport:

“She is incredible. I wish I could explain to people how incredible this girl is,” said an emotional Corbett afterwards.

“To watch her race and to swim that well is a dream come true for me and it inspires everyone back at home as well. She is a powerhouse, absolutely amazing!”

To quote a famous South African swimming supporter from years gone by, UNBELIEVABLE!

Schoenmaker’s coach, Rocco Meiring, said he was immensely relieved and proud:

“The fact that she broke it [the world record] in the final was a tribute to her mental toughness because of that tension in the final – my instruction to her was just race the final to win it.”

There were tears, both from Schoenmaker and bleary-eyed South Africans, as she was awarded her medal:

WATCH | The moment we’ve all been waiting for! @TeamSA2020‘s Tatjana Schoenmaker @TRSchoenmaker in the medal ceremony @SuperSportTV 🥇🇿🇦🙌 @IOLsport @IOL #Swimming #Olympics #Tokyo2020 #TatjanaSchoenmaker #TeamSA pic.twitter.com/PufWw1LnFX

— Ashfak Mohamed (@ashfakmohamed) July 30, 2021

More tears, during the national anthem:

Congratulations!#TatjanaSchoenmaker#TeamSA #TokyoOlympics
She just lifted the spirit of a nation! Her life won’t ever be the same again! pic.twitter.com/6HyaKlaAzm

— Bongani Bingwa (@bonglez) July 30, 2021

What a feeling.

Speaking once the dust had somewhat settled, Schoenmaker said she couldn’t wait to come home, reports IOL:

“It still hasn’t really sunk in! I’m excited to also go back home and celebrate this with my family. I don’t wish my Olympic dream over, but I am really excited to just go and celebrate, even being at the Olympics, with my parents,” Schoenmaker said afterwards.

We’re excited for you to come home, too.

What a cracking start to a Friday.

[sources:supersport&iol]