SA swimmer Tayla Jonker believes in 'God's plan'

JOHANNESBURG – The future of swimming in South Africa is secure as we saw 19-year-old Tayla Jonker held her own at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha.

The youngster broke the South African record in the women’s 50m backstroke, clocking 28.37 in the first-round heats in her inaugural World Championships semi-final.

“I usually focus on what I have to do that day. Focus on the processes not the outcome is the one quote I remind myself of before a competition.”

SA brought home only one medal, Pieter Coetzé’s bronze in the 200m backstroke and finished in a tie for 33rd place in the medals table.

Talking to Eyewitness News about her favourite moments at Doha Jonker said it was the pool deck during the semi-final and hearing all her teammates cheering her on in the semi-final.

The Pretoria-born athlete fell in love with swimming at the age of six when her cousin threw her into the deep end of the pool.

“It’s a funny story, I couldn't even swim in the deep end when I was six-years-old, despite having swimming lessons at least once a week. My eldest cousin got irritated one day because we were all playing around and they didn’t want me to feel excluded."

"She decided to throw me into the deep end forcing me to swim. When I realised I could swim in the deep end that's when my love and passion for swimming started. I would always swim around or play in the water wherever I got the chance,: said Jonker.
 
She tells Eyewitness News that one of the lessons she has learned over the years is that swimming has its ups and downs.

“You can’t always swim well. God has a plan and everything will happen at the right time.”