Sport

Tatjana Smith, Kaylene Corbett, Pieter Coetzé all keep SA medal hopes alive

Ashfak Mohamed|Published

Defending champion Tatjana Smith (right) gestures after finishing second to American Kate Douglass (left) in the 200m breaststroke semi-finals at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday night. Photo: Reuters

Tatjana Smith led for most of the race, but settled for second position in her semi-final on Wednesday night to qualify for the 200m breaststroke final at the Paris Olympics.

The defending champion from Tokyo in 2021, South African star Smith will be joined by compatriot Kaylene Corbett – who also finished second in her semi-final – in Thursday’s final (9.11pm) at the La Defense Arena pool.

Smith – who hinted at retirement after the Paris Games following her victory in the 200m heat earlier on Wednesday – took charge of her semi-final early on.

The 27-year-old showcased her renowned long strokes to get ahead of American Kate Douglass at the 50m, 100m and 150m marks, although by less than two-tenths of a second.

Douglass then edged in front with about 30 metres to go, and despite a late charge by Smith, the US star held on for victory in an excellent time of 2:19.74.

Smith – who clinched the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke on Monday – claimed second place in 2:19.94, with another American in Lilly King third in 2:23.25.

But it was all about making the final for Smith, who’s famous slogan is “If you have a lane, you have a chance”.

Now that she earned her lane in Thursday’s final, it’s all about grabbing her second gold medal in Paris, which would make her South Africa’s most decorated Olympian with four medals in total – although fellow swimmer Chad le Clos also has four at the moment, he only has one gold compared to Smith’s two.

Smith will hope to drag Corbett onto the podium on Thursday night as well, with the 25-year-old producing an impressive performance to finish second in her semi-final on Wednesday night.

After ending second behind Smith in her morning heat, Corbett went out strongly in her semi-final, shifting into third place after the 50m, 100m and 150m points.

She stepped up the pace on the last lap, and trailed Dutch star Tes Schouten (2:22.74) by just 0.13 seconds in the end with a time of 2:22.87.

It was a successful night for South Africa in the pool, as youngster Pieter Coetzé advance to Thursday’s 200m backstroke final.

Racing in the second semi-final, Coetzé was in top spot after the opening 50 metres, before dropping to second at the 100m and 150m marks.

Switzerland’s Roman Mityukov took the lead at those points, and was almost caught by Coetzé, who finished second in 1:56.09, trailing Mityukov’s 1:56.05 – which were the second and third fastest times across the semi-finals, behind Hungary’s Hubert Kos (1:55.96).

So, the 20-year-old Coetzé – who finished fifth in the 100m backstroke final – will be confident of clinching a medal in Thursday’s 200m final, which takes place at 8.38pm.

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