#TuksSwimming: The 18-year-old, Pieter Coetzé, sights are set on medalling at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Posted on June 04, 2022

Collecting medals, preferable when competing internationally, seems to be Pieter Coetzé's hobby.

The results of the recent 2022 Mare Nostrum Swim Series in Europe prove it. The Tuks swimmer won five gold, two silver, and three bronze medals in the backstroke events. His performance is impressive because it was only the third time the 18-year-old competed internationally against senior swimmers. 

Last year, at the FINA World Cup in Doha, he surprised many by winning all three backstroke events (50m, 100m and 200m). He then made history by competing at the Tokyo 2022 Olympics, being only 17. Coetzé is the youngest male South African swimmer to compete at the Olympic Games.

For now, Coetzé is not fazed, being one of the youngest competing internationally. Only one thing matters and that is to consistently win.

"I won't lie. At first, I was nervous when I started to compete against older swimmers internationally. But things changed. I still respect my opponents. It is an honour to line up to swim against the best. The difference now is that I think about how I will win when I step onto the starting blocks. It does not matter who is also lining up next to me," Coetzé explained. 

With such an attitude, it should be no surprise that Coetzé managed to beat the 2022 Olympic 4x100m relay gold medallist, Michael Andrew (USA), in the men’s 50m-backstroke at the Mare Nostrum Series. He also outswam Luke Greenbank of Britain, over the 200 metres. Greenbank has previously medalled at the Olympic Games and World Championships. 

The Tuks swimmer rates his 50m-backstroke duel with Anderson in Canet-en-Roussillon as his best performance. 

"I had a good start, but still not perfect. Once I got going, there was no stopping me. I got complimented by a few coaches who watched me compete for my efficiency swimming above water. They reckon I might be one of the fastest in the world. 

"The one thing I need to definitely work on is improving my technique doing turns. If I do, I will definitely be able to swim faster times."

Two weeks from now, Coetzé will compete at the Budapest 2022 World Aquatics Championships. He is looking forward to the challenge, but his main focus is the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. He is confident of winning a medal.

The stats certainly favour his optimism. Coetzé and Isaac Cooper of Australia, are currently the two fastest 50m-backstroke male swimmers ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games swimming. Both have set a season's best of 24.74s. 

The Tuks swimmer is the fastest in the 100m-backstroke this season, having swum 53.72s. His best time so far in the 200m-backstroke is 1:56.92.

During the recent Mare Nostrum Series, Coetzé won the 50m-backstroke in Monaco and Canet-en-Roussillon; the 200m-backstroke in Monaco and Canet Roussillon. He also won a shootout over 50 metres in Monaco.

- Author Wilhelm De Swardt

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

To contact the University during the COVID-19 lockdown, please send an email to [email protected]

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences