Historically! South Africa’s Chad le Clos sets Commonwealth Games record to become its most decorated male athlete

South Africa’s Chad le Clos (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) South African swimmer Chad le Clos made history on Friday by becoming the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history after helping his team win bronze in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay. The medal was his 19th career Commonwealth Games medal, ahead of Australian shooter Phil Adams and England’s Mick Gault.“I shouldn’t cry at the bronze, I should cry at the gold, but honestly, this means the world,” Le Clos, 34, told the Games website. With this latest achievement, his Commonwealth medal tally now stands at seven gold, four silver and eight bronze.

A career full of milestones

Le Clos could add to his record as he is also set to compete in the 50m and 100m butterfly events. He made his debut at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, where he won five medals at the age of just 18. The current edition marks his fifth appearance at the Games.Outside the Commonwealth scene, Le Clos has enjoyed a remarkable international career. He won four Olympic medals, including one gold, and won 16 world championship titles, mainly in the butterfly events. The experienced swimmer also set his sights on participating in the fifth Olympic Games, which will be hosted by Los Angeles in 2028.