Pretoria medical student wins bronze in the shot-put at the World University Games
There was no time for the Tuks medical student to celebrate her second medal in international athletics. The next morning, she was back in the circle. This time, armed with a discus in hand.
She qualified the finals with a throw of 56.60 metres. This was the fourth-best distance in the heats.
In the shot-put final, she threw 17.34 metres to take the bronze medal.
Uys is one of the few female field athletes who competes in three of the four athletic throwing events. Earlier this season, during the South African Championships in Potchefstroom, she achieved what few athletes have ever done. Her performance might even be a first in South African athletics. Uys medalled in three events. She won gold in the shot put and discus events and silver in the hammer throw. At the USSA Championships, she won all three events.
Team SA added a bronze medal in shot-put with Colette Uys getting to the podium at the FISU World University Games. She speaks about her experience in Rhine-Ruhr.
📹 #SABCSport's @superjourno #FISUGames pic.twitter.com/30yfGwMyzd
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 23, 2025
Uys fully realises that in the long run she can continue to participate in three throws.
'I know I'm going to have to make a decision. At most, I can compete in two of the three events. I will obviously compete in the hammer throw. Choosing between the other two events is difficult. The distances I throw during training suggest that I could be one of the top three in South Africa, but I prefer the shot put more,' she explained.
It is impressive to note the improvement Uys has made from last year to now. Last year, her best performance in the shot put was 16.58 metres; it is now 18.14 metres. In the discus, it was 55.55 metres and now it's 57.94. Last year her best distance in the hammer throw was 64.31 metres. This year she threw 65.84 metres.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Coetzé is only the second SA swimmer to win three gold medals at World Champs
Coetzé is only the second SA swimmer to win three gold medals at World Champs Pretoria's newest swimming sensation, Pieter Coetzé, will probably have to explain at airports why his luggage is heavier when he returns to South Africa from the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. The reason? He has a lot more baggage in the form of precious metals to bring home. This comes after Coetzé added three medals to his collection following his stellar performance in Singapore. These achievements follow just a few days after he also won three medals – two gold and one silver – at the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany the previous week. 🚨 NEW AFRICAN RECORD ALERT! 🚨 Pieter Coetzé powers to 2nd place in the men's 200m backstroke final with a blistering 1:53.36 a brand new African Record! ⚡ SILVER MEDAL SECURED! 🥈#TeamSA #ForMyCountry — Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) August 1, 2025 Coetzé will be able to testify that good things happen in threes after winning a silver medal in the 50m backstroke at the World Championships in Singapore on Sunday. With this achievement, the Tuks psychology student is only the second South African swimmer to win three medals at a World Championships. He is the 100m backstroke champion and was second in the 200m backstroke. He is the only man to reach the podium for all three backstroke events at these championships. Roland Schoeman won the 50m freestyle and breaststroke events at the 2005 World Championships in Montreal and was second in the 100m freestyle. But that's not where Coetzé's story ends with three. In the space of seven days, he improved during the World Championships the African record in the 50m backstroke (24.17s), 100m backstroke (51.85s) and the 200m backstroke (1:53.36). He is currently the only swimmer in Africa to hold all three records in the same event at the same time. Actually, the only backstroke record that he has not yet bettered is the 200-metre short course event. On Sunday Coetzé lined up for the 50m final as the third fastest qualifier behind two Russians – world record-holder Kliment Kolesnikov and Pavel Samusenko. On Saturday, during the semifinal, he set an African record. He went even quicker in the final, powering across the pool in another continental record time of 24.17 seconds to share the silver with Samusenko, who touched in precisely the same time, with Kolesnikov taking the gold in a championship record of 23.68 seconds. Kolesnikov sets a new Championship Record with Coetze taking 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐑 in a dead heat 🥈🔥 📺 Stream #AQUASingapore25 on DStv: — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 3, 2025 'I don't think I've ever tied in a final at this level, so it's pretty cool. I'm thrilled. 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,' said a thrilled Coetzé afterwards during a poolside interview. On being only the second South African swimmer to win three medals at a World Championships, Coetzé was equally delighted. 'It's amazing. It's something I always dreamed of. I can see myself making strides towards becoming the swimmer I always knew I could be,' he remarked. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Sisterhood and support shine at SPAR Women's Race
From early morning arrivals to the final stretch across the finish line, the SPAR Women's Challenge was dedicated to fitness, camaraderie, and personal achievement, whether participants were running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines. The atmosphere was one of encouragement and celebration, and Rekord was there from start to finish, speaking to spectators, participants, and staff. What stood out most was the overwhelming support from friends, families, and colleagues who came out in their thousands to back their loved ones, and shared in the accomplishment of accomplishing the 10-km milestone. The Centurion Rugby Club provided a relaxed, spectator-friendly setting with activations, music, and plenty of shade. The club ensured both runners and supporters would enjoy the day in a safe and organised environment. The SPAR Women's Challenge was once again more than just a race – it was a reminder of what community, motivation, and movement can achieve. Read more about the winners and race highlights below: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
OPINION: Pieter Coetze breaks through as SA's newest global swimming star
Last week, Coetze became the first South African in 20 years to earn three medals at a single edition of the World Aquatics Championships. After emerging as a real prospect a few years ago, Pieter Coetze experienced a couple of relatively stagnant seasons and it seemed unclear whether he would go on to achieve his apparently immense potential. However, following his performances at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore last week, the 21-year-old swimmer has proved he remains on track to become one of SA's all-time greats in the pool. In 2022, at the age of 18, Coetze claimed three medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and bagged five medals at the World Junior Championships in Lima, which earned the teenager the Sportsman of the Year accolade at the SA Sports Awards. And while he went on to secure bronze in the 200m backstroke at the World Championships in Doha last year, he missed out on a spot on the podium at the Olympic Games in Paris, achieving a best result of fifth place in the 100m backstroke final. But any concerns about his ability to beat the world's best were put to bed last week when Coetze delivered in spectacular fashion at the global championships. Pieter Coetze (centre) after winning gold in the 100m backstroke at the World Championships in Singapore. Picture: François-Xavier Marit/AFP Historic medal haul He earned gold in the 100m backstroke, as well as silver in the 50m and 200m backstroke events, becoming the first South African to earn three medals at an edition of the World Championships since Roland Schoeman achieved the feat in Montreal in 2005. In addition, Coetze broke new ground by shattering the African records over all three backstroke distances. In the 100m final he was particularly impressive. Aside from securing the world title, he touched the wall in 51.85, clocking the third fastest time in history over two lengths. He was just 0.25 outside the world record of 51.60 held by Thomas Ceccon of Hungary, who settled for second place in the final in Singapore in 51.90. With Tatjana Smith having retired and Chad le Clos having struggled to find his best form in the latter stages of his career, South Africa will need other swimmers to deliver in the hunt for medals at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. And Coetze looks set to lead the charge.
