SA's Schoenmaker sets new world record in Olympics

At the Tokyo Olympics, South Africa has had its first female gold medallist in swimming for 25 years.

Tatjana Schoenmaker set a new world record in the women's 200m breaststroke final.

She's the first woman to swim under 2:19.

On Tuesday, she won silver in the 100m event.

Her 100m Olympic medal was the first by a female swimmer from South Africa in 21 years.

Schoenmaker said she hoped her win would bring some joy back home after days of violence.

South Africa had weeks of violent protests and looting that left more than 300 people dead and property worth billions of rands ransacked.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Getty Images

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