On Thursday the 26-year-old Olympic champion swam the fastest time over the distance in the semi-finals to book lane four for the final.

Schoenmaker touched the wall in 2:21.31 ahead of the USA’s Lilly King and Abbey Harkin of Australia.

Tes Schouten of the Netherlands and Kate Douglas recorded the second and third fastest times respectively heading into the final.

The South African will be targeting a first World Championships gold in the event after claiming the silver four years ago in Gwangju, South Korea.

Earlier in the week Schoenamker took the 100m breaststroke silver for what was her first-ever World Championships medal, and finishing in sixth in 2019.

Friday's final is set to get underway at 13:49.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport