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Tatjana Smith took South Africa’s first gold of the Paris Olympics on Monday and added the 100-meter breaststroke title to the 200 meters she won at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“I just go out there and do my best and I know that every time I dive in, I’m trying as hard as possible. So that’s what I do every single race,” she said.

Smith said that having already tasted Olympic gold she knows what her victory will bring.

The 200m breaststroke winner in Tokyo triumphed in Paris with a time of 1:05.28, ahead of China’s Tang Qianting, with Ireland’s Mona McSharry taking bronze.

Tang took the silver medal in 1:05.54 and Ireland’s Mona McSharry got bronze in 1:05.59.

McSharry marked Ireland’s first medal at these Games and the country’s first in swimming since the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

American Lydia Jacoby won the event at the Tokyo Olympics but failed to secure a ticket to Paris after finishing third in the U.S. trials with only the top two qualifying.

There has yet to be a repeat champion in the event.

(With input from agencies)