South Africa's round-up at Tokyo Olympics


Image copyright: Getty Images
 

2020 Summer Olympic Games 

Tokyo, Japan
July 23 - August 8, 2021 
 
South Africa accumulated three medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and it was the nation's eighth consecutive appearance at the global event in the post-apartheid era.
 
Highly-rated swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker was South Africa's best performer in Japan as she claimed two medals including the country's only gold medal. 
 
The 24-year-old won the gold medal and set the world record in the 200-metre breaststroke, before winning a silver medal in the 100-metre breaststroke.

You might also enjoy: South Africa's proudest Olympic moments 
 
South Africa's other medal was won by Bianca Buitendag, who won a silver medal in the women's surfing shortboard event after losing out to USA's Carissa Moore in the final.

The 27-year-old struggled to get going and find any waves where she could put a competitive score together, but she managed to claim her first-ever Olympic medal.
 
"I surprised myself, I promise you. I'm overwhelmed, I don't even know what to say. You guys have no idea [what it means to me]," Buitendag said. 
 
"But every obstacle just gave me more motivation to make my country and its beautiful people proud. I would like to say thank you to Greg Emslie, who has been covering as manager, coach and everything - he has been amazing and I owe a lot to him."
 
Wayde van Niekerk (Athletics) and Chad le Clos (swimming) and Blitzboks (rugby sevens) failed to live up to expectations in Tokyo.
 
Wayde Van Niekerk
 Image copyright: Getty Images

Van Niekerk came into the international tournament as the reigning 400 meters Olympics champion and he is also the current world and Olympic record holder.
 
However, the Kraaifontein-born sprinter, who has struggled with injuries in the last few years, could not reach the 400 meters final after finishing fifth in the semi-finals. 
 
His compatriot Le Clos had won two silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and he was hoping to go one step further and win gold medals. 
 
However, the 2012 Olympics gold medalist reached just one final in Japan and he finished fifth in the men's 200 meters butterfly.
 
Blitzboks were one of the favorites to win the men's rugby sevens tournament, but they were stunned by Argentina in the quarter-finals and they went on to finish fifth in the competition. 
 

South Africa's performance at 2020 Olympic Games


Medals: 3
Gold Medals: 1
Silver Medals: 2
Bronze Medals: 0
 

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Published: 08/10/2021