Chad Le Clos

South Africa ‘s Chad Le Clos prepares for the swimming men’s 50m butterfly qualifications during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Optus Aquatic Centre in the Gold Coast on April 5, 2018 / AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA

Chad le Clos: Five things you didn’t know about our history-chasing torpedo

Chad le Clos is already a legend of South African swimming. But did you know these five facts about the golden boy of the pool?

Chad Le Clos

South Africa ‘s Chad Le Clos prepares for the swimming men’s 50m butterfly qualifications during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Optus Aquatic Centre in the Gold Coast on April 5, 2018 / AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA

Chad le Clos is chasing history at the 2018 Commonwealth Games – and came one step closer to that goal by winning gold in the 50m butterfly on Friday.

He missed out on a second medal in the 200m freestyle, in a race just minutes later, but he’ll have more opportunities to edge closer.

With all that in mind, we thought we’d find out what makes our four-time world champion tick away from the pool as he bids to become the Commonwealth Games’ most successful athlete in history.

Five little-known facts about Chad le Clos:

Fancies himself as quite the fantasy football manager

When not slaying it in the pool, the Manchester United fan can be found playing Fifa with his mates.

It’s like playing a Champions League semifinal everytime we play. We play between four and six games a night.

The 25-year-old is also quite particular about his team selection.

I like bringing Marcus Rashford on in the second half, but Juan Mata has to start. He is the best player in the team by far.

His love for United stems from his dad who after visiting Old Trafford in 1995, brought back a No 7 shirt for Chad.

Has a soft spot for most No 7s

If he had to choose his favourite player it would be Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ah, I love Ronaldo. But all the No 7s really like David Beckham, Eric Cantona.

Loves doing impressions

Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho gestures during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Swansea at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on March 31, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Le Clos loves nothing more than impersonating heroes and foes alike.  Included in his repertoire are ‘The Special One’ Jose Mourinho and you guessed it, Michael Phelps.

Is just ‘unbelievable’

After upsetting Phelps to win the 200m Butterfly gold at the 2012 London Olympics, Chad’s dad Bert was unable to contain his excitement and could be heard saying ‘unbelievable’ at regular intervals.

Chad has since taken a liking to the phrase, even incorporating it into his surfwear brand ‘C Le C’ which has two themes: ‘Unbelievable’ and ‘Ready to Roar’.

When asked which song would best describe his life, Le Clos answered ‘EMF’s Unbelievable’ without any hesitation.

Can’t stand mushrooms, the dark and snakes

Isn’t too fussy when it comes to food, but avoids mushrooms at all costs.

I like to eat a bit of protein, a bit of pasta, a bit of everything really. It just kind of depends on how I’m feeling to be honest.

He lists snakes as his No 1 fear and also can’t stand being in the dark during load-shedding.