Olympic Swimmer Wears 'Glory to God Alone' Cap: Wins Gold, Smashes World Record
Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa breaks world record for women's 200-meter breaststroke
© press
A swimmer wearing a cap that reads "Soli Deo Gloria" - or "Glory to God Alone" in English - has won Olympic gold and smashed the world record in her event.
Christain competitor Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa completed the women’s 200-meter breaststroke race with a time of just 2 minutes and 18.95 seconds.
24-year-old Schoenmaker broke the previous world record of 2 minutes and 19.11 seconds set by Denmark’s Rikke Moller Pedersen in 2013.
As her victory and record-breaking time were announced, Schoenmaker wept in disbelief while still in the water.
American swimmers Lilly King and Annie Lazor — who clinched silver and bronze — rushed to embrace the new world champion.
“I wasn’t expecting that at all,” said Schoenmaker after her race.
© press
"It couldn’t have been a better race," she humbly added.
"It still just doesn’t sink in; maybe one day.”
"It’s just an incredible swim,” Lazor said of Schoenmaker.
"That world record has been standing for a little bit too long, I think.
"So to see someone finally crack 2:19, we’ve all been working towards that I think, to see someone like her do it, she’s just a great person, just to be there and experience that with someone is something that you’ll really never forget.”
Schoenmaker previously earned silver in Tokyo for the women’s 100-meter breaststroke.
South Africa's Tatjana Schoenmaker BREAKS the world record to win the gold in the women's 200m breaststroke and her reaction is priceless.@_king_lil and @lazorlaze win the silver and bronze for @TeamUSA. #TokyoOlympics
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 30, 2021
đș NBC
đ» https://t.co/vlVjyst3S3
đ± NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/etlxBwXJG9
Beyond her swimming performance, Schoenmaker has attracted international attention for the swim cap she wears under her South African cap, which reads “Soli Deo Gloria” — “Glory to God Alone.”
© press
The cap also features a blue “Jesus fish” — an ancient Christian symbol associated with the Greek word for fish, “Ichthus,” which doubles as a Greek acrostic translated as “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”
âĄïž Tatjana Schoenmaker,
— Diario Deportivo CR (@DiarioDeporCR) July 28, 2021
nadadora olímpica sudafricana de 24 años, ganó medalla de plata en 100 mts pecho en los #JuegosOlímpicos
Sus gorras de natación personalizadas con la frase “Soli Deo Gloria” (Solo la gloria a Dios).
Cada quien lleva y expresa su fe a su manera. Respeto. pic.twitter.com/KSIWYEj4j5
As she traveled to the game, Schoenmaker posted a prayer to her Twitter page: “Father God may your will be done, may your peace fill us up, may we praise you no matter what the outcome, may we be empowered by your strength to give it our all and may we forever be in the awe of your goodness!”
LET THE GAMES BEGIN đđ»đżđŠ
— Tatjana Schoenmaker (@TRSchoenmaker) July 23, 2021
Father God may your will be done, may your peace fill us up, may we praise you no matter what the outcome, may we be empowered by your strength to give it our all and may we forever be in the awe of your goodness! pic.twitter.com/FE21q66Bvs
Without a doubt, Christians around the world can rejoice alongside Schoenmaker; though she is not a citizen of their nation, she is most certainly a citizen of their Kingdom.
