Tatjana Smith Schoenmaker Greatest Female Breaststroke Swimmer of All Time Episode 207

In this episode, we sit down with South African breaststroke sensation Tatjana Schoenmaker Smith, one of the most accomplished swimmers of her generation. At just 27 years old, Tatjana has already etched her name in swimming history, from breaking the world record in the 200m breaststroke at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to becoming a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a world champion, and the most decorated South African Olympic athlete of all time. We dive into Tatjana’s incredible journey, from her roots in Johannesburg to representing South Africa on the global stage at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Tatjana shares insights into her breakthrough moment in Tokyo when she shattered the 200m breaststroke world record with a 2:18.95, a feat that cemented her legacy. She talks about the highs and lows of competing at the top level, including her record-breaking gold at the 2023 World Championships—making history as the first South African woman to claim gold in swimming at the World Swimming Championships. We also discuss how Tatjana continued to evolve through the quad—balancing her focus between Olympics, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games. From her stellar performances in 2022 to her return to form in 2024, Tatjana provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to stay at the top of the sport. Plus, we talk about the unique challenges and rewards of representing South Africa on the world stage. Tatjana's journey is one of resilience, determination, and immense success. Listen for insights from arguably the best breaststroker of all-time.