South African swimming star Chad le Clos became the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history after winning his 19th medal in Glasgow. …reports Africa Daily News Desk
South African swimming great Chad le Clos became the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history after securing his 19th medal during the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Le Clos reached the landmark as South Africa claimed bronze in the relay, with the quartet of Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks, Ruard van Renen and Le Clos finishing in a time of 3:13.99.
The achievement takes Le Clos’ Commonwealth Games medal tally to 19, including seven gold medals, surpassing all other male athletes in the history of the competition.
Celebrating the achievement, Team South Africa posted on X: “Team South Africa has claimed bronze in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, with Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks, Ruard van Renen and Chad le Clos stopping the clock in 3:13.99. The medal also marks a historic milestone for Chad le Clos, who has now won 19 Commonwealth Games medals, making him the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history. History made. Congratulations, Team SA!”
An emotional Le Clos said the bronze medal held special significance after a difficult period in his career.
“I should not be crying at bronze, I should be crying at gold, but honestly this means the world.”
“After the near misses and some really hard times over the past few years, this is unbelievable, and I am just so grateful to my family for all their support,” he added.
Australia won the gold medal in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay and continued to lead the Commonwealth Games swimming medal standings with six gold, two silver and five bronze medals, for a total of 13.
South Africa’s tally stood at three medals, comprising one gold and two bronze medals.
