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IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Coetze's gamble pays off with stunning world title in Singapore
Pieter Coetzé celebrates winning gold in the 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Tuesday. Photo: Supplied Image: SSA South Africa's young swim sensation Pieter Coetzé's impressive recent spell in the pool continued with a gold medal in the 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Tuesday. The new world champion stormed to the win, dipping below 52 seconds for the second time in the past two weeks. It was a victory that the Tuks psychology student felt was coming at some stage, though he admitted he didn't expect it to happen so soon. The South African kicked with about 10m to go to take the title in 51.85 seconds, lowering his own South African and African record for the third time in quick succession. He narrowly missed out on the world record of 51.60. July 19th: World University Games 100m Backstroke Gold ✅ July 29th: World Aquatics Championships 100m Backstroke Gold ✅ July 29th In the span of ten days, Pieter Coetze wins both events and gets his first ever World Title! 🥇#AQUASingapore25 #Swimming — World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) July 29, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Olympic champion and world record holder Thomas Ceccon of Italy took silver in 51.90, while Yohann Ndoye-Brouard of France claimed bronze in 51.95. The 21-year-old Coetzé had posted the world lead in the 100m backstroke earlier this year, when he swam an African and World Student Games record time of 51.99 seconds in Germany—becoming only the eighth swimmer in history to go under 52 seconds in the event. There was a risk that those exertions would have taken too much out of the rising star to remain competitive at the Singapore showpiece. Thankfully for Coetzé, it gave him the sharpness he needed to pull off the win in a closely contested final few metres. 'I always thought it would happen eventually. In my mind, it was just a matter of time. To do it this year is amazing and I can't say it was expected, especially because it was a gamble going to the World University Games right before this. But it's working pretty well,' Coetzé said, in his post-race television interview. Speaking again a little later, he added: 'It was awesome. The competition was very deep here, so there were eight guys who could have won it. 'The (World) University Games prepped me really well. The guys went fast there as well. But I'm over the moon. It was anyone's game. I knew that going into it, and to get away with the win is awesome.' He said of the time he swam: 'Every time I break (the African record`0, I'm really happy with it. "I can't explain, but it was more about the win tonight than the time, so 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.' "𝑺𝑶𝑼𝑻𝑯 𝑨𝑭𝑹𝑰𝑪𝑨 𝑪𝑳𝑨𝑰𝑴 𝑮𝑶𝑳𝑫 𝑨𝑻 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑴𝑷𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑷𝑺!" 🔥 🇿🇦 Pieter Coetze wins gold in the Men's 100m Backstroke 🥇#AQUASingapore25 | #SSSwimming — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 29, 2025 Coetzé had qualified third-fastest for the final, behind Hungary's Hubert Kós (52.21) and Russia's Kliment Kolesnikov (51.26). With the leading swimmers deadlocked with 25m to go, Coetzé produced a devastating burst of pace to surge to the wall and claim victory. The top three all finished under 52 seconds. He will return to the pool on Thursday for the heats and semi-final of the 200m backstroke — an event in which he won bronze at last year's World Championships. On Saturday, he is also set to compete in the 50m backstroke heats and semi-final. Meanwhile, South Africa's Chris Smith secured his place in the 50m men's breaststroke final in Singapore with a second-place finish in Tuesday's semi-final in an impressive time of 26.77, behind Koen de Groot of the Netherlands. The final is scheduled for Wednesday. Wednesday's programme will also see Olivia Nel, fresh from her four medals at the World University Games, lining up in the heats of the 50m backstroke. Matt Sates will take on the 200m individual medley and the South Africans will also be in action in the mixed 4x100m medley relay.
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Coetzé claims shock gold in 100m backstroke with record-breaking finish
Pieter Coetzé won the men's 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore with a new African record time of 51.85 seconds on Tuesday. Photo: Backpagepix The 21-year-old Tuks student clocked a blistering 51.85 seconds — dipping under 52 seconds for the second time in just two weeks — to out-touch Olympic champion Thomas Ceccon of Italy, who took silver in 51.90, and France's Yohann Ndoye-Brouard, who claimed bronze in 51.95. Pieter Coetzé stormed to a surprise gold medal in the men's 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Monday, breaking his own South African and African record for the third time in rapid succession. Coetzé had arrived in Singapore carrying the world lead, courtesy of his 51.99 performance at the World Student Games in Germany last week — a swim that also set African and World Student Games records, and made him only the eighth man in history to break the 52-second barrier in the event. Despite this form, the South African was not seen as a favourite for the title in a stacked final field. He had qualified third-fastest (52.29) behind Hungary's Hubert Kós (52.21) and Russia's Kliment Kolesnikov, who posted a stunning 51.26 in the semis. In the final, the leading swimmers were level with 25 metres to go, before Coetzé unleashed a devastating late surge, kicking strongly in the final 10 metres to touch first in a remarkably close finish, with all three medallists under 52 seconds. Meanwhile, fellow South African Chris Smith booked his place in the men's 50m breaststroke final with a strong swim in the semi-finals. He finished second in his heat in a time of 26.77 seconds, behind Koen de Groot of the Netherlands. The final is scheduled for Wednesday.
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Coetzé wins South Africa's first gold medal at the World University Games
21-year-old Pieter Coetzé claimed South Africa's first gold medal at the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr this past weekend with his victory in the 100m backstroke. His winning time of 51.99 seconds is a new African and World Student Record. For now, it is also the fastest time in the world. It is incredible how Coetzé swam a speedier time every time he dived in. In the heats, his time was 53.34 seconds, and in the semi-finals, it was 52.18 seconds. There is a good chance that the Tuks swimmer will win more medals later in the later in the Games. The swimming program runs until Wednesday. His time of 24.50 seconds in the semi-final of the 50m backstroke was the fastest on Sunday, while he also qualified for the final in the 100m freestyle with another fastest semi-final time of 48.30 seconds, which is also a new personal best for him in this event. Coetzé is a specialist backstroke swimmer, but he makes no secret of the fact that he enjoys swimming the freestyle when the opportunity arises. He will, unfortunately, not compete in the 200m backstroke as he will also be competing in the World Championships in Singapore, which start this coming weekend. The time difference between Germany and Singapore is six hours. According to TuksSwimming head coach, Rocco Meiring, Coetzé must have sufficient time to acclimatise. Therefore, he will miss out on competing in the 200 m backstroke, which is one of the last items on the swimming program at the Student Games. Coetzé is often referred to as a true competitor. Someone who likes to test himself against the best. 'A lot of times when I train, it feels like I'm just an average swimmer. When I race, something happens. I'm different when competing than when training. I like competition and the pressure that comes with it,' he recently explained his onslaught during competitions. In an interview earlier this year Coetzé was asked about his preferences as a backstroke swimmer and what distance in the pool is his favourite. 'You could say the 200m backstroke is my best event, but I will always compete in the 100 and 50 meters. Remember, I come from a sprint background,' was his reply. – Another local swimmer from Pretoria, Lara van Niekerk, won the silver medal in the 50m breaststroke on Sunday. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SA swim star Pieter Coetze toast of World University Games after 100m backstroke gold
Pieter Coetze of SA took gold in the 100m backstroke final in a record 51.99 at the FISU World University Games in Germany on Saturday. outh African swim star Pieter Coetze continued to make a splash at the FISU World University Games in Germany at the weekend, breaking through the magical 52-second barrier in the 100m backstroke final on Friday night. After clocking 47.88 while leading off South Africa's 400m freestyle relay on Thursday, the Tuks swimmer recorded his best time as he smashed the African record in Friday's 100m backstroke semi-finals with a time of 52.18. Coetze held the previous African record courtesy of his 52.58 from the Paris Olympics final. His time in the University Games semi-final was also four-tenths of a second under the previous record of 52.60 that Ryosuke Irie set back in 2009.
IOL News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Marlie Viljoen defends World University Games 400m title with new lease of life
Marlie Viljoen is back from injury and focused on defending her 400m title at the World University Games in Germany. Image: Reg Caldecott Marlie Viljoen felt like her world had come crashing down during a recent injury-enforced spell on the sidelines. As she gears up to defend her 400m title at the FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, on Monday, she realises it may have been a blessing in disguise. In March, the Tuks student was in high spirits after setting a personal best of 51.42 seconds in the 400m. She was convinced she was capable of even faster times. It didn't happen; within days, every step she took on the track was accompanied by pain. It became unbearable after a race in Botswana, so she went to the doctor. A scan revealed she had suffered a stress fracture. For three weeks, she had to get by on crutches. Crippling blow 'It was as if my world had come crashing down. I was in the best shape of my life, but now I couldn't participate in the South African Championships or the national student meet,' the South African one-lap star said. 'The worst thing was that I had to withdraw from the World Relays after being a member of the 4x400m team that had broken the South African record. 'I almost gave in to total self-pity. Sitting in the stands watching the women's 400m finals at the national championships was agonising. I should have been on the track racing. 'Luckily I realised that feeling sorry for myself wouldn't get me anywhere. I began doing my rehabilitation exercises with dedication. I worked out at the gym, using weights, rowing, the treadmill, cycling, and swimming. "The one thing I missed was not being able to run. It made me realise that I was truly an athlete. Running is my passion, and if my body allows me, I will continue to run for some time to come.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Back on track Last weekend in Italy, Viljoen ran the 400m for the first time in three months. She finished fifth, in a time of 53.03. 'The injury could be a blessing in disguise. If I hadn't been injured, I would not have put so much pressure on myself to defend the world student title and run even faster times. "I am more open-minded now. My only goal is to be the best I can in every race. 'Everyone knows that in the final, anything can happen. Hopefully, I can make South Africans proud again. In the end, all that really matters is knowing that I gave it my all.'
