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Chad le Clos Breaks Commonwealth Games Medal Record with 21st Podium — Bronze medallists South Africa's Michael Houlie and Chad le Clos celebrate after the men's 4x100-metre medley relay final

Editorial Team

South African swimming legend surpasses Emma McKeon as most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history

South African swimmer Chad le Clos has become the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history, claiming his 21st medal to surpass Australia's Emma McKeon. The 34-year-old achieved the milestone late Wednesday when South Africa captured bronze in the men's 4x100 medley relay at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The record cements le Clos's legacy as one of the most enduring figures in Commonwealth sport, spanning five editions of the Games over 16 years. His achievement also marks a significant moment for South African swimming, underscoring the nation's continued strength in the pool on the international stage.

Record-Breaking Relay Performance

Le Clos swam the butterfly leg in the decisive relay, securing his third medal of the 2026 Games. Earlier in the competition, he earned silver in the mixed 4x100 medley and bronze in the men's 4x100 freestyle relay.

His career tally now stands at seven golds, five silvers and nine bronzes across five Commonwealth Games, beginning in Delhi in 2010 when he was just 18 years old. That debut campaign yielded five medals. He followed with seven medals in Glasgow in 2014, five on the Gold Coast in 2018, and one in Birmingham in 2022.

A Career Defined by Historic Moments

Le Clos first captured global attention at the 2012 London Olympics, where he stunned the sporting world by defeating American icon Michael Phelps in the 200-metre butterfly final by just 0.05 seconds. Phelps, then a 14-time Olympic champion, had been undefeated in the event since 2001.

Le Clos went on to win additional Olympic medals at Rio 2016 and has since competed at the Tokyo and Paris Games. He has publicly stated his ambition to qualify for a fifth Olympic appearance at Los Angeles 2028.

Emotional Reaction from the Champion

Speaking after Wednesday's relay, le Clos acknowledged the emotional weight of the record but placed it in perspective alongside earlier career milestones. "It was emotional, but I think those first two medals here in Glasgow were just a little bit more just because I had to get over the hump and tonight I just had to stay cool and bring it home," he said.

He praised his teammates for their efforts, adding: "The way the boys and girls swam, they swam their hearts out. They kept saying 'we're doing this for Chad' before they walked down, and it just means the world to me."

What Lies Ahead

With the 2026 Commonwealth Games continuing in Glasgow, le Clos may yet have opportunities to extend his record tally further. Beyond the current competition, his focus remains on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where he hopes to represent South Africa for a fifth time at the age of 36.