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Coetzé takes gold at World Champs in Singapore─── MORGAN PIEK 10:38 Wed, 30 Jul 2025
Young swimming sensation Pieter Coetzé delivered South Africa’s first medal at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Tuesday, powering to gold in the 100m backstroke and setting a new African record in the process.
The 21-year-old, who qualified third-fastest from the semi-finals, surged ahead in the second half of the final to outpace Olympic champion Thomas Ceccon of Italy and France’s Yohann Ndoye-Brouard.
Coetzé touched the wall in a blistering African record time of 51.85 seconds – just 0.25 seconds shy of Ceccon’s world record. Ceccon wasn’t far behind, taking the silver in 51.90 seconds, while Ndoye-Brouard claimed bronze in 51.92 – only 0.07 seconds off the winning pace.
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— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) July 29, 2025
???? Pieter Coetze wins gold in the Men's 100m Backstroke ??#AQUASingapore25 | #SSSwimming pic.twitter.com/5NjfHs6C3f
Following his sensational win, Coetzé said he always believed a world title was within reach, and is thrilled to have finally achieved it. “I always thought it would happen eventually,” he said.
“In my mind, it was just a matter of time – but to do it this year is amazing. It was awesome.
“The competition was incredibly strong here. There were eight guys who could have won it. The World University Games prepared me really well.
Pieter Coetzé. Photo: World Aquatics
“The guys went fast there, too, so I’m over the moon. It was anyone’s race, and to come away with the win is just awesome.”
Coetzé added that breaking the African record made the victory even sweeter. “Every time I break the African record, I’m really happy with it.
“I can’t explain it, but tonight was more about the win than the time. Even if I’d won with a time a second slower, it would’ve felt just as good.
‘Coetzé will still compete in 50m and 200m backstroke events’
“In a final like this, you’re not really thinking about the time at all.”
Coetzé has now set the tone for the rest of his campaign and will still compete in the 50m and 200m backstroke events.
He’ll be back in the pool in Heat 3 of the 200m backstroke at 04:44 on Thursday morning, while his 50m backstroke Heat 5 race is scheduled for 04:43 on Saturday morning.
