Meder claimed the 200m individual medley gold for women in fine style by smashing the South African record in the process by almost half a second.

Meder touched the wall in 2:10.95 to set the new national benchmark after being just the sixth fastest during the semi-finals.

Meder said she felt that she had it in her to break her own national record, but she was still surprised at her time.

“I didn’t underestimate that I had that time in me but to do it in the heats swim this morning was a big surprise and I landed up touching the wall and actually getting quite emotional seeing that time.

“It didn’t feel that fast but everything kind of fell into place and to break my South Africa record by just under half a second was a huge barrier for me and getting that 2:10 mark is amazing.

“You’re up against the world’s best and I have to remind myself that I’m at that calibre too so I just focused on my own swim. I knew my butterfly would be strong.

“I focused on my backstroke, I was very surprised at how strong my breaststroke was and then to come home on that freestyle, I just put my head down.

It’s a dogfight to the end but being in the same heat as multiple Olympic champions over the years, I always find a big blessing and I am super grateful to be in this space of competing.”

Meanwhile, South Africa's golden girl of swimming, Tatjana Schoenmaker, finished second in her heat for the 100m breaststroke for women in 1:05.56.

This heat was won by Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania in 1.04.67. Schoeman will swim in lane five of the second semi-final which will take place at 13:33 on Monday afternoon.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport