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Chad le Clos on becoming Commonwealth Games GOAT

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on Chad le Clos on becoming Commonwealth Games GOAT
Adnaan Mohamed

Chad le Clos has spent 16 years collecting Commonwealth Games medals. On day two in Glasgow 2026 he collected the one that elevated him above every male athlete in the event’s history.

The colour hardly mattered.

South Africa’s men’s 4x100m freestyle relay quartet claimed bronze behind Australia and England, with Le Clos producing a blistering 48.29-second anchor split to steer Team SA onto the podium at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks, Ruard van Renen and Chad le Clos of Team South Africa after the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final. Photo: Getty Images

The medal was the 19th Commonwealth Games medal of Le Clos’ extraordinary career, making the 34-year-old the most decorated male athlete in the history of the Games.

It is a record that has been 5,772 days in the making.

Le Clos opened his Commonwealth account with gold in New Delhi in October 2010. Since then he has amassed five medals in India, seven in Glasgow in 2014, five on the Gold Coast in 2018, one in Birmingham in 2022 and now the history-making bronze back in Glasgow.

The relay medal was no ceremonial farewell.

Le Clos delivered the fastest split of the South African quartet, finishing ahead of teammates Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks and Ruard van Renen on the anchor leg to underline his enduring quality.

Although celebrated globally for his butterfly exploits, the Durban swimmer has long proved his versatility. He won Olympic silver in the 200m freestyle at Rio 2016 and Commonwealth silver in the 100m freestyle two years later.

Eight of his 19 Commonwealth medals have now come in relay events, with his overall tally standing at seven gold, four silver and eight bronze medals.

An emotional Le Clos immediately shifted the spotlight onto his teammates, two of whom collected their first senior international medals.

“I couldn’t have done it without the boys, everyone pulled their weight tonight. The nerves were definitely there, we needed the medal, and do it for South Africa. It capped off a phenomenal night for the swimmers.

“I’m obviously delighted to get medal No.19, and it’s something I’ve been chasing for eight years. I’m super proud. It was 12 years ago when I was a 22-year-old and we got a medal in this event, and Roland Schoeman was 34. Now, I’m 34 and there are youngsters in this team who have incredible futures.”

Le Clos joked that he has become the shortest and oldest swimmer in another South African relay team that has etched its name into the history books.

“I was very nervous tonight, probably the most nervous of the four boys. But I knew once Pieter dived in that we’d do it. Guy and Ruard were incredible and two of them were winning their first senior medals.

“My dad was in tears… it’s all very emotional. I’ve never given up and there’s been a lot of dark times. I’m a dog in a dogfight though and once I’m in one I give it everything.”

For an athlete who has inspired generations of South African swimmers, medal No.19 felt like another finish and the perfect full circle. The teenager who burst onto the Commonwealth stage in 2010 is now the veteran leading the next wave, with a place in history that is unlikely to be challenged anytime soon.

Bronze lining for SA in Tokyo as relay team break eight-year medal drought

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Bronze lining for SA in Tokyo as relay team break eight-year medal drought

It took until the final day of the World Athletics Championships, but the quartet of Lythe Pillay, Udeme Okon, Wayde van Niekerk and Zakithi Nene ensured Team South Africa will not leave Tokyo empty-handed after securing a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay. That brought to an end an eight-year World Championships medal drought. By Karien Jonckheere

The foursome tore round the track in two minutes 57.83 seconds with Zakithi almost pipping world and Olympic 400m hurdles champion Rai Benjamin on the line for the silver, but the American just edged ahead by two thousandths of a second with Botswana taking gold in 2:57.76. 

Gardeo Isaacs and Leendert Koekemoer, who will also be awarded the bronze medal, had made way for Van Niekerk and Nene for the final, with Van Niekerk expressing his gratitude for ending his 400m career on a high. 

“I really don’t want to make the team effort a personal thing, but it was really an amazing opportunity for me,” admitted the 400m world record holder afterwards, adding a shoutout to his teammates. “I think they know my journey, the last few years fighting with the 400m… I’m really just grateful to each and every one of them for pushing for me and fighting for me to be here.

“It’s really a privilege that I can finish off my 400m career with a medal, and hopefully it gives them some motivation to go and get some more medals for themselves.”

Wayde’s, whose medal collection includes Rio Olympic gold in the 400 as well as two 400m world titles and a 200m silver, added that he hoped the bronze would inspire his teammates to bigger things.

“I think I’m glad it’s a bronze because now it gives them reason to fight for silver and gold for themselves individually and then as a team as well,” he said.

Lythe was excited about the future potential of the team that included Udeme, who has just turned 20, and 18-year-old Leendert.

“We’re still a very young team, we have a lot of potential going forward,” he said. “I grew up wanting to run like Wayde. I started running chasing Zak and Gardeo, now Udeme and Leendert are chasing me, so we have a really great flow of athletes… so just up from here.”

With the World Athletics Championships coming to a close on Sunday, a look back reveals there were several injury disappointments and close shaves for Team SA, but also plenty to celebrate apart from the bronze medal, with the country’s sprinters really making their mark by reaching their respective finals of the 100m (Gift Leotlela and Akani Simbine), 200m (Sinesipho Dambile) and 400m (Nene).

World Relay Championshipa

Trust key to the SA men’s 4x100m relay team being world champions!

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Trust key to the SA men’s 4x100m relay team being world champions!

The South African men’s 4x100m relay team dared to dream full well, knowing they will face obstacles, make mistakes and be criticised, but in the end, trust trumps all. That is why they are world champions.

On Sunday the 2nd of May, 2021, Thando Dlodlo, Gift Leotlela, Clarence Munyai and Akani Simbine won the gold medal at the World Relay Championships in Poland. The heroics can be described with one word. Guts! Simbine’s run over the last 100 metres coming from behind to pip Brazil’s Paulo de Oliveira on the finish line gave new meaning to making every centimetre count.

The Tuks based Leotlela attributed their heroics to hard work, belief, confidence and trust. “If a team has got that, there are no limits. Throughout the championships, the weather was atrocious. During our final, the temperature was 7 degrees. It drizzled as well. But we knew the weather is as it is. There is nothing we can do about it. All we had to do is trust each other. I think that is what got us through the race. The speed was there. Our challenge was to pass the baton without making mistakes.”

An ecstatic Simbine described it as doing the “job”. “We came to Poland with the idea to win a medal. And we did.” As to his duel over the last 100 metres, Simbine said, “I knew it was going to be tough. The thing I had going for me was being confident. I knew I could catch up.”

The Tuks based South African 100 metres champion certainly did not lack motivation. During Saturday’s heats, Italy’s Filippo Tortu outsprinted Simbine. He did not take too kindly to it as he was not racing to finish second. Especially when he represents his country. He vowed it was not going to happen again. Simbine’s split in yesterday’s final was 9.08s.

According to the Tuks based Dlodlo, he can become used to the idea of being part of a world champions team. “I won’t mind if we can do so at every championship. But we also need to be realistic. Our race was far from perfect. There are things we need to improve on.”

It is the first time the South African 4x100m men’s relay team medalled at the World Relays. Morné Nagel, Corné du Plessis, Lee-Roy Newton and Matthew Quinn did get gold during the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, but only after the USA got disqualified. Tim Montgomery tested positive for a banned substance.

Unfortunately, according to Quinn, their heroics did not ignite a relay culture in South Africa. “We now have that. It is because of Paul Gorries (national relay coach)’s passion. He is building a great culture. The athletes have bought into his vision. “Last night’s win was incredible for the team. It was about creating that winning culture. It is essential going into the Tokyo Games.”

Quinn does not doubt the team will continue to be a force in world relays. “At the moment, I think only Akani and Gift are in shape. Clarence has just recovered from an injury. Luxolo Adams and Henricho Bruintjies are injured. Emile Erasmus has yet to reach his best form, as has Thando. The competition for places is going to bring out the best in our athletes.”

Watch how the team raced to victory below, courtesy of the World Athletics YouTube Channel