Pieter Coetzé wins SA's first gold medal at World Swimming Championships
Coetzé snatched gold in the men's 100m backstroke on Tuesday and set a new African record of 51.85 in a tight race, with the entire field finishing within less than a second of one another.
The 21-year-old South African star touched the wall first, with the Paris 2024 champion Thomas Ceccon just .05 seconds behind him to claim silver in 51.90, with France's Yohann Ndoye-Brouard earning his first world championship medal with a bronze in 51.92.
"I always thought it would happen eventually. In my mind, it was just a matter of time. I can't say it was expected as it was a gamble right after the World University Games,' said Coetze.
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SA swimmer Pieter Coetzé books spot in the 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore
Pieter Coetzé leads the pack as he qualifies for 4 World Aquatics Championships events
Pieter Coetzé snatches the first World Aquatics Championships qualifying time at the SA National Championships
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