Being named South Africa's Sportsman of the Year means the 18-year-old, Pieter Coetzé, continues to be a trailblazer.

The Tuks swimmer is the youngest athlete to receive this coveted award. In 2021, when he was only 16, Coetzé was the youngest South African male swimmer to compete at the Olympic Games. It would not be wrong to say there will be many more "firsts" before Coetzé puts his swim cap away for good. 

This is not surprising. Coetzé abides by the simple desire to win every time he competes. If he does not do so, he at least wants the satisfaction of having set a new personal best time. He is under no illusion as to what it will take to do so. It will boil down to long and hard hours in and out of the pool. The Tuks swimmer is up to the challenge. 

He proved it last year. Coetzé claimed gold in the men’s 100m backstroke, silver in the 50m backstroke and bronze in the 200m backstroke at the Commonwealth Games in England.

He then headed to Peru, where he collected a gold medal in the 200m backstroke at the World Junior Championships. The 18-year-old also won silver in the 50m and 100m backstroke and another silver and bronze in the relay events in Lima. Coetzé also set an African record time of 52.95s in the 100m-backstroke.

At the 16th World Short Course Championships in Melbourne, he set African records in the 50m-backstroke (22.84s) and the 100m-backstroke (49.60s).

"I'm very grateful to be rewarded for the successful year, made possible by everyone on my team – my coach, my parents and everyone who has supported me," said Coetzé. 

According to Coetzé, being named the South African Sportsman of the Year is special.

"I used to watch the Sports Awards on television. I got inspired when I saw the likes of Chad le Clos and Akani Simbine getting honoured. To get the same award is something I will treasure."
Coetzé is not mincing words when asked about his goals.

"I want to be my best at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. So everything I do from now on will be to ensure that I am. One of my immediate goals will be to see whether I can qualify for the Games during next month's South African Championships."

The Tuks swimmer has already qualified to compete in the 50m and 100m backstrokes events at the World Championships in July in Japan. He swam a B-qualifying time in the 200m backstroke. Coetzé is, however, not sure about competing at Worlds.

"I really want to compete, but according to my coach, Rocco Meiring, the dates of the World Championships clash with my training program for the Olympics. I have told 'Coach Rocco' that he needs to make the final decision."

No matter what Meiring might decide, Coetzé will swim the Mare Nostrum Series in Europe. The last time he did so, he won nine medals. 

Meiring was named Coach of the Year. Apart from Coetzé, his squad includes Olympic champion and world record holder, Tatjana Schoenmaker and Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallists, Erin Gallagher and Kaylene Corbett.

"I  have to thank my swimmers for doing the thing I can't coach – that is stepping up in the big moments," he said. 'Your performances make me look better than I am',." said Meiring.