The South African student team's medal tally rose to six at the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr last night thanks to the heroics of 21-year-old Pieter Coetzé.

The Tuks student won gold and silver in the space of 90 minutes. He won the 50m backstroke in 24.49 seconds and was second in the 100m freestyle (48.12 seconds). His performance in the freestyle was a surprise. Coetzé is a backstroke specialist who only occasionally competes in freestyle events.

Coetzé can feel that his mission is accomplished as he is on his way to compete at the World Championships in Singapore. On Monday, he will compete in the 100m backstroke. It might be worth the while for South African sports fans to watch this. On Saturday, he won the event at the World University Games in a time of 51.99 seconds during the past week. Coetzé is only the eighth swimmer ever to dip under 52 seconds in the 100 m backstroke.

What makes Coetze's performance in the 100m backstroke remarkable is that the South African Swimming Championships are the only notable competition he has participated in before the Student Games. Everyone knows that it is one thing to train and quite another to compete.

"Now that I'm studying full-time, I have to plan better where and when I participate. For me, it's important not to participate too much because if you overdo it, you miss out on quality training. I like to maintain a balance between my participation and training. I might participate in a few of the World Cups after the World Championships," is how Coetzé explained it."

Coetzé's medal tally at international events now stands at 26 (14 golds, 8 silvers, and 4 bronzes). On how he manages to step up every time it matters, the Tuks student's answer is that he loves competition.

"When I compete, something just happens. I love the pressure that comes with testing yourself against the best in the world."

Marlie Viljoen (Tuks), the defending World University Games 400m women's champion, impressed with the way she won her heat yesterday. Her winning time was 53.48 seconds. Precious Molelo also qualified for the semi-finals with precisely the same time.

South African shot-put champion Colette Uys (Tuks) qualified for the finals with a throw of 16.83 metres. Mine de Klerk also ensured that she would be in action in the finals with her effort of 16.96 metres.

Tuks education student Karabo Mailula set a personal best time of 33:06.34 in the finals of the 10,000 metres last night. She was 13th overall.

Apart from Coetze, the following South Africans have medaled at the Games: Lara van Niekerk won a silver medal in the 50m breaststroke. The South African 4x100m mixed relay team (Ruard van Renene, Simone Moll, Guy Brooks, Olivia Nel and Michaela de Villiers) won bronze. Ruard van Renen, Guy Brooks, Olivia and Georgia Nel also won bronze in the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay.