Pieter Coetzé wins SA's first gold medal at World Swimming Championships
Coetzé stole gold in the men’s 100m backstroke on Tuesday and set a new African record of 51.85.
Pieter Coetzé booked a spot in the 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore after powering to second place in his semifinal on Monday, 28 July 2025. Picture: Supplied.
JOHANNESBURG – Pieter Coetzé won South Africa’s first medal of the World Swimming Championships in Singapore.
Coetzé snatched gold in the men’s 100m backstroke on Tuesday and set a new African record of 51.85 in a tight race, with the entire field finishing within less than a second of one another.
The 21-year-old South African star touched the wall first, with the Paris 2024 champion Thomas Ceccon just .05 seconds behind him to claim silver in 51.90, with France's Yohann Ndoye-Brouard earning his first world championship medal with a bronze in 51.92.
"I always thought it would happen eventually. In my mind, it was just a matter of time. I can’t say it was expected as it was a gamble right after the World University Games,” said Coetze.
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