Le Clos makes Commonwealth Games history with 19th medal
The bronze was Le Clos' eighth relay medal and his 19th overall, comprising seven gold, four silver and eight bronze medals.
Chad le Clos cemented his place in Commonwealth Games history on Friday, becoming the most decorated male athlete in the competition’s history after claiming his 19th career medal.
The 34-year-old South African anchored Team SA’s men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team to bronze on the opening night of swimming at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, surpassing the previous record of 18 medals.
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Le Clos teamed up with Pieter Coetzé, Guy Brooks and Ruard van Renen to finish third in 3:13.99 behind Australia and England.
His anchor split of 48.29 seconds was the fastest of the South African quartet.
The medal caps a remarkable 16-year Commonwealth Games career that began with gold in New Delhi in 2010.
He won seven medals in Glasgow in 2014, five in Gold Coast in 2018, one in Birmingham in 2022 and now the record-breaking medal in Glasgow.
The bronze was Le Clos’ eighth relay medal and his 19th overall, comprising seven gold, four silver and eight bronze medals.
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“I couldn’t have done it without the boys. Everyone pulled their weight tonight,” said Le Clos.
The nerves were definitely there but we needed the medal to do it for South Africa. It capped off a phenomenal night for the swimmers.
“I’m obviously delighted to get medal No. 19, and it’s something I’ve been chasing for eight years. I’m super proud. It was 12 years ago when I was a 22-year-old and we got a medal in this event, and Roland Schoeman was 34. Now, I’m 34 and there are youngsters in this team who have incredible futures.”
Le Clos said it had been an emotional event, stating that his father was also in tears.
I’ve never given up and there’s been a lot of dark times. I’m a dog in a dogfight though and once I’m in one I give it everything.
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Team SA opens medal account
Le Clos’ historic achievement was part of an impressive night for South African swimming, with the national team collecting three medals.
Visually impaired swimmer Nathan Hendricks claimed South Africa’s first gold medal of the Games after dominating the men’s S13 100m freestyle final in 54.54 seconds.
“This is my first senior medal and I’m ecstatic. I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” Hendricks told the Sascoc website.
This gold is a gift from me to those who have helped me along the way. I’m still in shock and it doesn’t feel real, but obviously I’m so happy.
“Now I’m going to knuckle down, I’ve still got the 50m to come, so hopefully I can get another one.”
The women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team of Aimee Canny, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher and Olivia Nel added another bronze medal, finishing in 3:38.67 while setting a new African record.
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After two days of competition, South Africa sat joint fifth on the Commonwealth Games medals table with one gold and two bronze medals.
The team will have further medal opportunities on Saturday, with Pieter Coetzé and Ruard van Renen qualifying for the men’s 50m backstroke final, Michael Houlie and Chris Smith advancing in the 100m breaststroke, and Erin Gallagher, Caitlin de Lange and Jessica Thompson reaching the women’s 50m butterfly final.