Tatjana Smith (née Schoenmaker) is a South African swimming sensation, with an incredible journey from starting out as a young swimmer to becoming an Olympic champion.
Tatjana started swimming at just five and competed in her first race at eight. Her love for sports and her natural competitiveness led her to competitive swimming, "My parents and coach saw something in me and gave me a nudge in that direction and I have never looked back.” Their belief in her potential set the foundation for her future career.
One of Tatjana's main strengths lies in her unique breaststroke technique. "Finding a breaststroke technique that works for me has been crucial”. While there are universal principles in breaststroke, discovering her own style has been a game-changer.
Top Training Tips: Tatjana’s Advice for Aspiring Athletes:
- Focus on yourself: "Don't compare yourself to others."
- Give your all: "You won’t always feel your best, but you can choose to give 100% of the 80% you have."
- Prioritise recovery: Essential for maintaining peak performance.
- Know your why: "Stay positive by knowing why you are doing it and remind yourself of it daily."
- Attention to detail: "Swimming is very technical, so working on the small details can make a big difference."
Inspirations and Career Highlights
Inspired by the character of many athletes rather than their achievements, Tatjana has always sought her own path, “I am inspired by many athletes not because of their achievements but because of their character. But I have never dreamt of being like someone else, I have always wanted to find my own way in sport.”
The 2021 Olympics was a huge highlight in her career so far, "Winning gold and breaking the world record was a dream come true". However, it's the tough races that challenged her and contributed most to her growth, “The races that made the most impact was the not-so-nice races, the races that challenged me and at the end made me grow”.
Tatjana credits her faith as a cornerstone of her strength, "I can’t not give all the glory to God. I swim because of Him (giving me the talent) and I therefore I swim for Him”. Her parents also played a significant role, believing in her before she believed in herself. Overcoming mental challenges, she leans on her faith and a supportive network of family and friends.
Beyond the Pool
Outside swimming, Tatjana enjoys watching sports and playing games. "My ideal off day would be having friends and family over for a 'braai' (BBQ) with sports in the background and playing board games”.
Tatjana's commitment to giving back led her to launch the Tatjana Foundation, aiming to support the less fortunate. Music also plays a vital role in her life, especially worship music, which keeps her calm and focused. "It reminds me that I am doing it for God."
Tatjana’s journey is a testament to hard work, faith, and the support of loved ones. Her story continues to inspire aspiring athletes around the world. As she looks forward to future competitions, her focus remains on giving her best and growing with every race.
Related Articles
