Coetzé wins two gold medals at the Shanghai Swimming World Cup

Posted on October 25, 2024

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

Why would it be relevant to swimming? Well, Tuks's Pieter Coetzé can vouch for it after winning two gold medals at the Swimming World Cup in Shanghai over the weekend.

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.

The past weekend was the first time Coetzé competed since the Paris Olympic Games. During the Games, he competed in the 200-metre backstroke finals and set African records. It meant he had improved on his 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 DStv documentary "Outside Lane": "I see the whole process of swimming as therapy. You can literally 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."

Starting 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  "Outside Lane" 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.

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