One of the former rockstar Meatloaf's songs is titled "Two out of Three ain't Bad".

Why would it be relevant to swimming? Pieter Coetzé of TuksSwimming, can vouch for it after winning two gold medals at the 2024 Swimming World Cup in Shanghai.

The 20-year-old won the 100m backstroke, setting an Africa record by swimming 49.35s. It is the first time he has dipped under 50 seconds in the event in a 25-metre pool. For now, his time is the fastest in the world. Coetzé also won the 200m backstroke in 1:49.12, which is also the fastest in the world at the moment. He was second in the 50m backstroke, swimming 22.95s. He can certainly be proud of his two out of three heroics.

This past weekend was the first time, Coetzé competed since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. During the Games, he competed in the 200-metre backstroke finals and set African records. Going back to competing meant he had to improve his personal best times. 

As things stand, Coetzé now holds four of the six African backstroke records (25-metre and 50-metre pool). It proves why Rocco Meiring (TuksSwimming head coach) calls the young swimmer "Cool Hand Luke". According to him, Coetzé handles pressure like it is nobody's business. 

To this compliment, Coetzé responded in the M-Net documentary 'Outside Lane', "I see the whole process of swimming as therapy. You can train your mind to be silent. When racing, I am calm as I get to the starting blocks. You don't think about anything; you just let it happen."

As of Thursday, Coetzé will be competing in Korea. He is not taking anything for granted. 

"You can't always win. Sometimes, you do lose."

In the documentary, Coetzé explained it: "I tell myself that you can't spell the word legend without the letter l, which means you are going to lose."

When listening to Coetzé talk about swimming, it becomes clear that there is a special bond between him and his coach, Rocco Meiring. 

"I don't think there is a swimmer in South Africa who doesn't know who Rocco is."

Meiring, however, is not one to take credit for his swimmer's achievements. To him, being a coach is being a servant leader.

"It is about what is best for the athlete and not for me."