Chad le Clos sets record with 19th Commonwealth medal

South African swimmer Chad le Clos became the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history on Friday, July 24, 2026, by winning his 19th career medal at the Games in Glasgow. The 34-year-old secured the milestone with a bronze medal in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay, swimming alongside teammates Pieter Coetzé, Guy Brooks, and Ruard van Renen to a time of 3:13.99.

The achievement moves le Clos past shooters Phil Adams of Australia and Mick Gault of England, who each held 18 medals. His total Commonwealth haul now stands at seven gold, four silver, and eight bronze medals. After the race, le Clos expressed profound emotion, stating that while he might have hoped for gold, the bronze meant the world to him after enduring near misses and difficult times in recent years. He credited his family for their support and his teammates for their effort in the relay.

The historic moment capped a successful second day in the pool for South Africa, which also saw visually impaired swimmer Nathan Hendricks win the nation's first gold medal of the Games in the men's S13 100-meter freestyle. The women's 4x100-meter freestyle team of Aimee Canny, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher,...