Van Niekerk inspired by Schoenmaker, left speechless after Commonwealth gold

South Africa's newest teen star Lara van Niekerk roared to her second Commonwealth Games medal as she dominated the women's 100m breaststroke final in Birmingham on Tuesday.

Van Niekerk, who clinched the 50m breaststroke gold this past weekend, was the favourite in the field, which included fellow South African and 200m gold medallist Tatjana Schoenmaker.

Swimming in lane four, Van Niekerk led from start to finish as she stopped the clock in a time of 1:05.47, nearly a body length ahead of second-placed Schoenmaker.

"I didn't expect it (the lead), I thought it was going to come down to a touch, so I was quite surprised and said, 'Where's Tatjana?'," laughed Van Niekerk after her win.

"I thought it was going to come to the last split. That was what I was preparing for at least."

The 19-year-old Van Niekerk returns home with a breaststroke double in her Commonwealth Games debut, a feat that has left her amazed.

"I'm still speechless. It doesn't feel like I'm a double Commonwealth Games champion. I don't think it's ever going to sink in," said Van Niekerk after her win.

"I'm so happy after Worlds, it wasn't the best result I had, and coming here and achieving this, means a lot."

Van Niekerk dominated the final with ease as Schoenmaker had to settle for silver in 1:06.68 - 1.21 seconds behind the teenager.

Following her victory, Schoenmaker swam over to Van Niekerk in the next lane to celebrate 1-2 for South Africa as the rest of the swimmers followed in a group hug.

At the medal ceremony, the duo stood with their arms around each other as the South African national anthem rang out at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

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