In the deep blue cauldron of the Singapore Sports Hub, Pieter Coetzé sliced through the water like a torpedo on a mission, delivering South Africa’s first medal at the World Aquatics Championships — and not just any medal, but gold, shimmering like sunlight on a still pool.
The 21-year-old backstroke specialist, who entered the final as the third-fastest qualifier, summoned a storm over the last 50 metres of the 100m backstroke final. Powering past Olympic titans like Italy’s Thomas Ceccon and France’s Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, Coetzé touched the wall in a breathtaking African record of 51.85 seconds — just a fingernail away (.25) from Ceccon’s world record.
It was awesome. The competition was very deep here, so there were eight guys who could have won it. I knew that going into it and to get away with the win is awesome.
For much of the race, it looked like the tide might turn in Ceccon’s favour. But Coetzé surged with the calm fury of a rip current, dragging hopes and records in his wake. Ceccon finished second in 51.90, Ndoye-Brouard third in 51.92, while Olympic 200m champion Hubert Kos was left gasping in fourth at 52.20.
I always thought it would happen eventually. In my mind, it was just a matter of time, but to do it this year is amazing.
The psychology student from TUKS, whose mental strength seems to match his physical prowess, was unfazed by the stopwatch.
It was more about the win tonight than the time. If I won with a second slower time, it would still be as good. I think in a final, you don’t really think about the time at all.
Now, with golden momentum in his stroke, Coetzé sets his sights on the 50m and 200m backstroke events — the rest of the field has been warned: the shark has tasted blood.
Meanwhile, another South African young gun made a splash. Chris Smith, just 19, blitzed his 50m breaststroke heat in 26.82 and dropped even more time in the semifinals, clocking a personal best 26.77 to qualify joint fifth for Wednesday’s final. Only Koen de Groot of the Netherlands was faster in the semis, swimming 26.71.
Aimee Canny, ever consistent, reached the semifinals of the 200m freestyle after a solid morning swim of 1:57.53, but couldn’t match the pace in the evening, placing 12th overall with 1:57.72.
Wednesday promises more ripples from the South African camp. Smith will dive back into the fray for the 50m breaststroke final, while Olivia Nel — fresh from a medal-laden campaign at the World University Games — will test the waters in the 50m backstroke heats. Matt Sates is also set to stir things up in the 200m individual medley, and Team SA will plunge into the mixed 4x100m medley relay.
One night in Singapore, Pieter Coetzé showed the world that South African swimming isn’t just staying afloat — it’s surging forward with tidal force.
