Schoenmaker initially combined swimming with other sports but focused solely on swimming towards the end of high school. She started swimming for water safety reasons, and her talent was quickly recognised. Her love for the sport motivates her to train daily, travel the world, and meet new people.

Club and Coaching

Schoenmaker trains with Tuks Swimming in Pretoria, South Africa. Her club coach is Rocco Meiring, while Graham Hill coaches her at the national level. These coaches have played a crucial role in her development as an athlete.

Achievements and Awards

One of Schoenmaker's memorable achievements is winning two gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. In 2021, she received Swimming World magazine's Female World Record of the Year award for her performance in the 200m breaststroke at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

She was also named African Female Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World in 2021 and by SwimSwam in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Additionally, she was honoured as Sports Star of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year at the 2019 South African Sport Awards.

Milestones

Schoenmaker became the first female South African swimmer to win a medal at the world championships when she claimed silver in the 200m breaststroke at the 2019 edition in Gwangju, Republic of Korea.

Personal Life and Inspirations

Her partner, Ruan Ras, has represented South Africa in swimming at World Cup events. Schoenmaker admires South African swimmers Penelope Heyns and Chad le Clos, US swimmer Michael Phelps, and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

Rituals and Philosophy

Schoenmaker has a pre-race ritual that includes jumping and twisting to prepare herself mentally and physically. Her sporting philosophy focuses on self-improvement rather than comparing oneself to others. She believes that constant improvement will eventually lead to success.

The Tatjana Foundation

In 2021, Schoenmaker launched the Tatjana Foundation to improve access to water safety and swimming lessons in South Africa. While she continues her swimming career, she plans to be more involved with the foundation once she retires from competitive swimming.

Education and Hobbies

Schoenmaker holds a degree in Finance from the University of Pretoria. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Tatjana Schoenmaker's journey from a young swimmer to an accomplished athlete is inspiring. Her dedication to improving herself and helping others through her foundation highlights her commitment both in and out of the pool.