Share

Sensational Van Niekerk claims another gold, Le Clos can't make Commonwealth history

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article


Team SA swimmers helped push the country's medal tally to 16 on day 5 of the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday after an eventful evening at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

The star of the show was once again Lara van Niekerk as she claimed her second Commonwealth Games gold, winning the women's 100m breaststroke final in stunning fashion.

SMETHWICK, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Lara van Niekerk o

Lara van Niekerk (Gallo)

Swimming in lane 4, Van Niekerk powered to the lead and kept her consistency to come home ahead of 200m gold medallist and fellow South African Tatjana Schoenmaker, who took silver. 

Tatjana Schoenmaker, Lara van Niekerk,

Tatjana Schoenmaker and Lara van Niekerk (Getty)

The 19-year-old stopped the clock in 1:05.47 to comfortably seal South Africa's sixth gold in Birmingham. 

Later in the evening, Pieter Coetze added to the medal tally as he claimed bronze in the men's 200m backstroke final.

Coetze was sixth heading into the last 50m, but surged to third in a time of 1:56.77.

SMETHWICK, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Pieter Coetze of S

Pieter Coetze (Gallo)

England's Brodie Williams won gold in 1:56.40, and Australian Bradley Woodward took silver in 1:56.41.

This is Coetze's third medal in Birmingham after his gold in the 100m and silver in the 50m backstroke. 

Chad le Clos

Chad le Clos (Gallo)

Sadly, Chad le Clos failed in his bid to become the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time as he finished fourth in the men's 100m butterfly final.

Swimming in lane 5, Le Clos put in his all but could only touch the wall in 51.61, just 0.21 seconds off the podium places. 

Michael Houlie also missed out on a podium finish as he finished fourth in the men's 50m breaststroke final on Tuesday evening.

Swimming in lane 3, Houlie touched the wall in 27.36, just 0.04 seconds behind bronze medallist Ross Murdoch of Scotland (27.32).

Olympic world champion Adam Peaty delighted home fans as he stormed to gold (26.76) with Australia's Sam Williamson taking silver (26.97).


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed. 
Subscribe to News24
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Who should replace Jacques Nienaber as Springbok coach after the 2023 Rugby World Cup?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Deon Davids
2% - 137 votes
Mzwandile Stick
6% - 330 votes
John Dobson
19% - 1076 votes
Johan Ackermann
22% - 1250 votes
Franco Smith
5% - 307 votes
Johann van Graan
3% - 189 votes
Jake White
7% - 385 votes
Rassie Erasmus
34% - 1929 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE