Chad le Clos becomes the most decorated man in Commonwealth Games history
The South African swimmer’s 19th medal came in the relay in Glasgow, 16 years after his debut.
Key points
- South African swimmer Chad le Clos won a record 19th Commonwealth Games medal on 25 July 2026, a bronze in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay in Glasgow.
- He became the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history, passing shooters Phil Adams and Mick Gault.
- His haul stands at seven golds, four silvers and eight bronzes across five Games since 2010.
South Africa's Chad le Clos became the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history on 25 July 2026, winning his 19th medal in Glasgow.
It came in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay. South Africa took bronze behind Australia and England, with le Clos swimming a 48.29-second anchor leg at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
A record 16 years in the making
The medal took le Clos past the shooters Phil Adams of Australia and Mick Gault of England. His Commonwealth haul now stands at seven gold, four silver and eight bronze.
The 34-year-old made his debut in New Delhi in 2010, winning five medals at 18. He then won seven in Glasgow in 2014, five on the Gold Coast in 2018 and one in Birmingham in 2022, before his record-breaking return to Glasgow.
Why it matters
Longevity at the top of swimming is rare. Le Clos's record is one of the highlights of a Games in which African athletes, including Kenya's steeplechasers, stood out.
Sources
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