Tatjana Smith raced into the final of the women’s 100m breaststroke after winning both her morning heat and the evening semi-final to qualify fastest. She and Pieter Coetze were the standout performers for Team SA at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday.
Smith won her 100m breaststroke heat in 1:05.00, which is only 0.18sec off her Olympic record set in Tokyo. She qualified fastest for Monday night’s final where she again won her semi-final in 1:05.00. How rare is that? Then again, Smith is a rare talent.
Coetze also emerged as a medal candidate when producing an African record in the 100m backstroke for joint third overall.
Team SA gymnast star Caitlin Rooskrantz was forced to withdraw from the all-around competition after suffering an injury to her right foot during the floor exercise. It is unclear as yet whether she will play a further part in these Games.
In hockey action, Team SA’s women pushed Australia all the way and can be considered a little unlucky to lose 2-1, while the men’s side drew 2-2 with Great Britain, who equalised with 90sec remaining.
In women’s rugby sevens action, Team SA lost 34-5 to Australia and 38-0 to Ireland.
TEAM SA’S FULL RESULTS
CYCLING
Women’s MTB cross-country: Candice Lill had to replace a wheel which scuppered her chances of a medal in this event. She continued and finished 20th in 1hr 30min 33sec, which was 9:31 behind gold medallist Pauline Prevot Ferrand of France
EQUESTRIAN
Eventing, cross-country: Alexander Peternell is placed 51st in the field with 72.20 penalty points. He received 39.00 penalty points in dressage and 33.20 in cross-country.
FENCING
Men’s epee, table of 64: Harry Sanee LOST 15-9 to Vadim Sharlaimov (Kaz), The end came at 30 seconds into the third period
GYMNASTICS
Women’s artistic, qualifying, sub division: Caitlin Rooskrantz
Rotation 1: Rooskrantz earned a score of 13.733 (6.000 difficulty, 7.773 execution) on the uneven bars
Rotation 2: Rooskrantz earned a score of 11.333 (4.700 difficulty, 6.633 execution) on the uneven bars
Rotation 3: Rooskrantz earned a score of 10.866 (4.400 difficulty, 6.766 execution) on the floor exercise
Rotation 4: Rooskrantz suffered an injury and withdrew from the vault
HOCKEY
Women’s Pool B: Team SA 1 Australia 2
Men’s Pool A: Team SA 2 Great Britain 2
ROWING
Men’s pair, heats: Christopher Baxter and John Smith finished second in their heat in 6min 36.71sec. They followed Great Britain across the line to qualify for the semi-final
RUGBY SEVENS
Women’s Pool B: Team SA 5 Australia 34
Team SA 0 Ireland 38
SKATEBOARDING
Women’s street prelims: Boipelo Awuah placed 18th in qualifying, skating well, but not progressing into the final
SURFING
Women’s second round: Sarah Baum won her head against Camila Kemp (Ger). Baum had a total of 10.50 (best waves of 5.67 and 4.83) while Kemp scored 4.94
SWIMMING
Women’s 100m breaststroke, heats: Tatjana Smith won her heat in 1:05.00, which is only 0.18sec off her Olympic record set in Tokyo. She qualified fastest for the evening’s semi-finals, with an identical 1:05.00.
Women’s 100m breaststroke, semi-finals: Smith won her semi-final, again in 1:05.00, to qualify fastest for the final
Men’s 100m backstroke, heats: Pieter Coetze finished 2nd in his heat in 52.90sec. This saw him qualify second fastest for the evening semi-finals
Men’s 100m backstroke, semi-finals: Coetze produced an African record 52.63 in finishing dead-heat second in his semi-final, which left him joint third overall heading into the final
Women’s 200m freestyle, heats (12.12pm): Aimee Canny finished 5th in her heat in 1:57.81. This placed her 14th fastest overall to qualify for the semi-finals
Women’s 200m freestyle, semi-finals: Canny went quicker in the evening and will be pleased with her return. She timed 1:57.34 in finishing sixth in her semi-final, for 12th overall. She misses out on a place in the final but can hold her head high
Compiled by GARY LEMKE in Paris
Photo of Candice Lill by ANTON GEYSER