South Africa’s le Clos breaks Commonwealth Games medal record

Chad le Clos, a veteran South African swimmer, achieved a historic milestone by capturing his 21st Commonwealth Games medal, establishing himself as the most decorated athlete in the competition's history. The 34-year-old swimmer competed in the butterfly leg of the men's 4×100 medley relay, helping South Africa secure bronze. This medal represents his third at the current Games, following earlier silver and bronze finishes in mixed and men's freestyle relay events.

Le Clos's record collection spans five Commonwealth Games appearances beginning in 2010, when he competed at age 18 in Delhi and earned five medals. His subsequent performances included seven medals at Glasgow in 2014, five at the Gold Coast in 2018, and one in Birmingham in 2022. His total medal count comprises seven golds, five silvers, and nine bronzes. Following his relay victory, le Clos expressed emotional gratification at the achievement, noting that his earlier medals at the current Games required overcoming a psychological threshold before maintaining composure for the final relay performance.

Beyond Commonwealth competition, le Clos holds Olympic credentials. He achieved international prominence by defeating American swimmer Michael Phelps in the 200-metre butterfly at the 2012 London Olympics, winning by 0.05 seconds against the 14-time Olympic champion who had remained undefeated in the event since 2001. Le Clos subsequently competed in Rio in 2016, Tokyo, and Paris, and has expressed intentions to qualify for a fifth Olympic appearance in Los Angeles within two years.