| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | South African |
| Born | (1991-10-03)3 October 1991 (age 34) |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1] |
| Weight | 57 kg (126 lb)[1] |
Spouse | Franzel Schoeman |
| Sport | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Sport | Triathlon |
| Coached by | Joe Schoeman Alisdair Hatfield[1] |
Medal record | |
Henri Schoeman (born 3 October 1991)[2] is a South Africantriathlete. He represented his country at the 2016 ITU Grand Final inCozumel, where he won the gold medal; the2016 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal; and the2014 Commonwealth Games, where he won a silver medal in themixed relay. He is the brother of the South African swimmer,Riaan Schoeman.[3] His bronze at Rio in 2016 is the first Olympic medal South Africa has won in the sport.[4] In 2021, he competed in themen's triathlon at the2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan.[5]
Schoeman was a strong swimmer at school and soon progressed to be a strong talent atlong-distance swimming for his country. He switched sports to take up the triathlon in his mid-teens and won the Under 19 South African championship in consecutive years.[6] However, he sustainedstress fractures in his shins in 2009[7] which kept him from competing for two years. A mountain bike accident in 2011 then ruled him out of competition but allowed him time to recuperate and build strength in his legs, allowing him to return to competition stronger.[6]
Schoeman won the 2016ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final September 18, 2016,[8] placing him 4th overall for the series.[9] Schoeman was due to finish 3rd, butAlistair Brownlee slowed to help his brotherJonny over the line. During this assist, Schoeman passed the Brownlee brothers and won gold. In the run-upto the Rio games, Schoeman had developed a suspected respiratory illness, stating after the race: "I have had fever the whole week. The doctor only gave me the all-clear to be on the start line yesterday".[10][11]
