SA stars excited as Commonwealth Games countdown hits 100 days

Two of Team SA’s stars have expressed their excitement as the countdown to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham reached 100 days to go.

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Tatjana Schoenmaker, who burst onto the global scene at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and then followed up by winning two medals at the Tokyo Olympics, is excited to go to Birmingham and attend a Games “where it all started”.

‘The Commonwealth Games are really important for me because it’s basically where this particular journey all started for me. I will never forget the two surprise gold medals I won in Australia. My team and I have decided to give the Swimming World Championships a miss in order to peak in Birmingham, so I’m very excited about it all,” Schoenmaker said.

“In terms of where I am at, it’s been difficult to get back into swing of things since my performance at the Olympics but in terms of our training cycles I never really peak in April ,” she said, referring to her recent performances in the SA Swimming Nationals in Gqeberha.

“I’m just looking forward to working harder and then doing my best in Birmingham. I have qualified for all three breaststroke events so I hope to be really competitive in the 50m, 100m and 200m,” she added.

Akani Simbine won Commonwealth Games gold in the 100m four years ago

Akani Simbine, who lit up the track at the Gold Coast, winning the 100m men’s sprint and then following up by finishing fourth in the Tokyo Olympic final, is also excited about what lies ahead in Birmingham.

 “The Games are very important to me as the Commonwealth gets a lot more coverage in SA than other events and it’s awesome to be part of Team SA. My favourite memory is winning the gold medal in the 100m sprint and becoming the Commonwealth champion four years ago. What a day that was!

“In terms of where I’m at, I am very happy with my progression – in previous years I’ve peaked slightly too early but my coach and I are now really excited about where I am and we look forward to Birmingham. I’ll be competing in the 100m and possibly the relays. The vibe in Team SA is slightly different with the Commonwealth as we have a bigger team than the Olympics with more sports taking part. I think Birmingham will be great as we will have crowds again – Covid willing,” Simbine said.