19 July 2025 – Berlin, Germany
South African swimmer Pieter Coetze delivered a sensational performance to secure South Africa’s first medal at the 2025 FISU Rhine-Ruhr World University Games, claiming gold in the men’s 100m backstroke final with a new Games record of 51.99 seconds.
The 21-year-old University of Pretoria standout led from the start and never relinquished his position, finishing ahead of Americans William Modglin and Daniel Diehl, who took silver and bronze respectively.
Coetze ‘s path to the final was marked by dominant performances. He won his heat (Heat 6) comfortably with a time of 53.34 and went on to break the existing FISU Games record in the semi-finals with a 52.18. In the final, he lowered his own record once more to 51.99, delivering a decisive victory and opening the medal count for Team South Africa at the Games.
Speaking prior to the start of the games, South Africa’s Chef de Mission, Carole Adam, expressed pride in the team’s success at the previous games in Chengdu two years, stating that the goal was to surpass the 20 medals the team achieved in 2023 in China. Coetze’s gold marked the first of what would become a three-medal night for South Africa.
Coetze, who also represented the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is scheduled to return to the pool today to compete in the men’s 100m freestyle.
The 2025 FISU World University Games, currently underway in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region, is the world’s second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games, with over 6,000 athletes from 115 countries competing across 18 sporting codes. South Africa is participating in eight of those codes, including swimming.
For More South African Sport News: Sport South Africa Home Page
For More World University Games News for South Africa:
South African 3×3 Basketball Teams Prepared for World University Games
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Team South Africa Ready for Rhine-Ruhr: USSA Unveils University Games Squad with Focus and Flair
