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South African swimmer Chad le Clos during the Doha leg of the 2013 FINA Swimming World Cup. Photo taken by Flickr.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Chad Le Clos

Chad le Clos after finish in 200m freestyle semi in Kazan. Photo by Oleg Bkhambri.

Chad Le Clos was born in 1992 in Durban, South Africa. Bert and Geraldine are his parents and he has three siblings. His father moved to South Africa at the age of nine years where he met Geraldine.

Chad Le Clos attended a high school in Westville Boys which was a semi-private school for the boys. Chad joined a local swimming club in his hometown, Seagulls Swimming Club, at the age of eight years showing a lot of passion for swimming.

He is well known worldwide for his career in swimming. Chad has a younger brother, Jordan, who is a very competitive swimmer.

He began his career at an early age where he began his first competition at 10 and went up to South Africa’s senior national team at the age of fourteen.

Below are the top ten fascinating facts about Chad Le Clos since his birth in 1992

1. Chad Le Clos Won Guinness World Record

Chad Le Clos holding won medal. Photo by Doha Stadium Plus Qatar on

Chad Le Clos won the Guinness world record in the year 2018 after he had completed the swimming world cup in the same year.

He won the record after being the first male to obtain 143 medals between the years 2009 and 2018 in FINA swimming world cup.

In the FINA world cup, Chad Le Clos won five gold medals in 2018 and was top of the list.

He had won most medals ahead of Vladimir Morozov who has won 88 medals. He has also won other major series of titles more than any other male swimmer.

2. Chad Le Clos Underwent Depression

Chad Le Clos later confessed to undergoing a traumatic experience that massively influenced his poor performance during the Tokyo Olympics.

Chad did not however disclose the cause of depression but claimed that it was so deep and it was not meant for the public.

It was after the frustrating results in the Tokyo Olympics that he decided to seek professional help which he regret that he had spoken out earlier.

3. Chad Le Clos’s Parents are Battling Cancer

Chad Le Clos came to the realization of the father’s prostate cancer in 2015 that went on and made him lose about 30kgs in six months. His mother Geraldine, also noticed that the breast cancer she had battled had returned in 2016.

Chad’s father was a well-known media sensation who gained a good reputation during the 2012 London Olympics for his interviews. His father was also around him since his first swimming competition in primary school.

4. Chad Le Clos Had a Rivalry with Michael Phelps

The rivalry between the two began during the 2012 Olympics games. The rivalry began while Chad was 20 years old after a shocking defeat. He upset Phelps in London touching the wall about 0.05 seconds before Phelps in the 200m butterfly.

It was a great win for Chad but an international loss for Phelps who always won for a decade. Some fairy words were exchanged between them during the 2015 world championship in Russia.

5. Chad Le Clos Used to Play Soccer

Chad Le Clos started playing football and swimming at a very tender age and most of his family members were into football.

He was the first swimmer in the entire family and when he declared that he was going swimming all the family members were shocked.

At the age of 13 to 14, he decided to stop playing football and concentrate fully on his career in swimming. He however continued to kick a football with his brothers but hoped that swimming would take him where he wanted.

6. Chad Le Clos Defeated Michael Phelps

The dramatic win of the gold by Chad Le Clos is described as one of the best that upset Michael Phelps in the 2012 Olympics.

Phelps had never lost in any race for the last ten years until that day when Chad nipped him at the wall.

It was the biggest devastating moment ever where most of the South African media were ready to declare Phelps the winner.

7.He has Won Several Awards and Honors

Chad Le Clos having worn a medal. Photo by Oleg Bkhambri.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Chad Le Clos won the daily news SPAR sports persons which were held in 2010. He was announced as the ZKN newsmaker in 2013 and though he was not present for the awarding, his father took the award on his behalf.

Chad Le Clos also won the Swim Swam Swammy Award as the best male swimmer in 2013, 2014, and 2018.

8. Chad Le Clos Dated Jeanni Mulder

Chad Le Clos has dated his long-time girlfriend, Jeanni whom they have been spotted together since 2018. The two love birds have also been seen sharing the snapshot of one another on their timelines.

Jeanni is a well-known model who grew up in Cape Town. She has also been associated with the most famous model agencies such as Freedom LA.

9. He is Generous and Gave Back to the Community

Chad Le Clos gave back to society through the construction of the Chad Le Clos Academy in South Africa. The major purpose of the academy is to provide a site for enjoyment and active participation in swimming.

The beautiful facility is well equipped with qualified staff that helps the individual learn and enjoy a lifelong journey in swimming. It also majorly focuses on giving opportunities to underprivileged youths.

10. Chad Le Clos was Announced Youth Olympics Ambassador

Photo of Chad Le Clos. Authored by Swimfreak.

Chad Le Clos was announced youth Olympics ambassador for the second time in 2018 by the International Olympics Committee.

The announcement took place in Singapore after Chad had completed the FINA World Cup. His naming as the Youth Olympics Ambassador came as a result of winning five medals in 2010 at the Youth Olympics Games.

Chad Le Clos is a well-recognized competitor in swimming and shows great passion in his career. His passion was seen at a very tender age when he went on to challenge great people such as Phelps whom he admired.

He also gives back to society by building an academy to help the less fortunate youth. His father is also very supportive of his career since he was ever-present since his first swimming class when he was eight years.