Coetze reflects on decorated debut Games

Teenage swimming sensation Pieter Coetze is enjoying a memorable Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he has bagged three medals. 

The 18-year-old Grade 11 pupil at Cornwall Hill College in Centurion bagged a gold medal in the 100m Backstroke final in 53.78 seconds, before adding a silver medal in the 50m Backstroke final in 24.77 seconds on Monday night.

READ: Team SA™s historic CWG medallists react

On Tuesday, he completed a full set of Commonwealth Games medals when he added a bronze in the 200m Backstroke final in 1:56.77 - just 0.37 seconds off winner and gold medalist Brodie Williams of England.

"I definitely left it a little late, although I™m happy to medal and deliver a PB [personal best]," Coetze told Team SA reporter Gary Lemke in Birmingham.

"I came into the Games, which was my first big one after my Olympics debut last year, aiming to do my best and get close to my PBs. I™ve done that, so I am very chuffed and grateful for the medals.

READ: Team SA climb up the CWG medal table

"I would have liked to go even faster but [coach] Rocco [Meiring] said that when you come to these big Games it™s not about times, it™s about winning medals and making the country proud ¦ I hope I™ve done that.

"Being part of Team SA has been amazing, I™ve learned from them every day in training. Most of them have been here on this stage before. Paris 2024 is the main focus and everything else is a stepping stone. I™ll go back home and see what Rocco and I can do to bring back Olympic gold in 2024."

By Web Admin