In the deep blue crucible of Singapore’s World Aquatics Championships, South African swimming sensation Pieter Coetzé sculpted history by becoming the only man to reach the podium for all three backstroke events at the global showpiece.
By the end of the meet, the 21-year-old South African had notched an unprecedented trifecta: gold in the 100m backstroke, silver in the 200m, and, on the final day, silver in the white-knuckle 50m dash. With this feat, Coetzé’s name is now rippling through record books like the wake of a ship breaking uncharted waters.
He entered the 50m final as the third-fastest qualifier, having shattered the African record in the semifinal. But Pieter wasn’t done.
Launching off the blocks like a torpedo fired with purpose, he blazed across the surface in a flash in 24.17 seconds rewriting the African record again and tying with Russian Pavel Samusenko for silver.
Only Kliment Kolesnikov, the Russian maestro and world record-holder, was faster, clinching gold in 23.68 seconds, a championship record.
“I don’t think I’ve ever tied in a final at this level, so it’s pretty cool,” Pieter beamed, water still streaming from his brow like silver confetti.
“I’m very happy. I don’t really train for the 50, I train for the 200, so to be able to go down so far and win a medal in the 50 is amazing.”
That’s the marvel of Pieter: a swimmer forged for endurance, yet capable of explosive brilliance in the shortest burst of battle. While others specialize in a single gear, he swims with a full gearbox.
“Kliment went very fast. That’s an extremely fast time, so it was an honour to be in that race and hopefully I can push myself and also get below 24 seconds,” he added, his ambition swimming far beyond the scoreboard.
In doing so, Pieter equalled a monumental milestone set by South African Olympic legend Roland Schoeman in 2005—three medals at a single long-course world championship.
Significantly every one of Pieter’s medals came hand-in-hand with a personal best and an African record, each a flag planted on a new peak of his own making.
“It’s amazing. It’s something I always dreamed of,” said Coetzé, voice tinged with quiet reverence. “I can see myself making strides towards being the swimmer I always knew I could be… I’ve always believed it, and a part of me had always known, so now to see it in front of me is amazing. I’m very proud and blessed.”
On the same day, South Africa’s women’s 4x100m medley relay quartet of Olivia Nel, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher, and Aimee Canny delivered a spirited surge of their own. Clocking 3:59.47, they smashed both national and African records. Though they missed the final by a mere heartbeat, their unity and pace hinted at a force soon to rise.

“It was so good,” said Olivia. “A little before the relay, we were all just taking a little peek at the African record because we realised the group of girls we were sitting with, and we totally knew it was possible, so the fact that we got that was so awesome.”
When the water finally stilled in Singapore, South Africa had placed 11th on the swimming medal table. This position is carried largely on Pieter’s broad shoulders and relentless drive.
SA’s medal haul was a clear signal that the tides of South African swimming are shifting, and Pieter Coetzé is riding the crest as a catalyst.