Following an explosive start to the short-course season in Baku, South Africa’s swimming stars have kept the momentum rolling at Stop 2 of the 2026 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After just two days of competition at the Olympic City Aquatic Centre, Team SA has already secured four medals: three golds and one bronze, highlighted by a historic World Record from Pieter Coetze.
Coetze Writes History in the Backstroke
Pieter Coetze has been nothing short of phenomenal in Tashkent. After securing gold in the Men’s 200m Backstroke on Day 1 with a commanding time of 1:49.32, the 22-year-old sensation returned to the pool on Day 2 to etch his name into the history books.
Qualifying fastest in the heats with a 22.64, Coetze blazed through the Men’s 50m Backstroke final in 22.09 seconds. This breathtaking swim not only earned him the gold but also broke the previous short-course World Record of 22.11, which had been held by Russia’s Kliment Kolesnikov since November 2022. Coetze led a world-class field, touching ahead of Russia’s Egor Kornev (22.29) and Pavel Samusenko (22.35).
Houlie Strikes Gold and Caldwell Claims Bronze
Michael Houlie delivered a masterclass of his own in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke. Building on his silver medal from Stop 1, Houlie qualified fastest in the morning heats (25.82) before dropping his time to 25.67 in the final to snatch the gold medal. He executed a flawless race to hold off strong challenges from Russia’s Kirill Prigoda (25.82) and the Netherlands’ Caspar Corbeau (25.92).
Team SA’s medal haul in Uzbekistan officially began on Day 1 courtesy of Matthew Caldwell in the Men’s 400m Freestyle. Caldwell put together a stellar race to claim the bronze with a time of 3:40.95, finishing behind American star Carson Foster (3:37.39) and Belgium’s Lucas Henveaux (3:37.74).
More To Come on Day 3
Team SA’s medal haul in Uzbekistan officially began on Day 1 courtesy of Matthew Caldwell in the Men’s 400m Freestyle. Caldwell put together a stellar race to claim the bronze with a time of 3:40.95, finishing behind American star Carson Foster (3:37.39) and Belgium’s Lucas Henveaux (3:37.74).
The full 11-swimmer South African squad competing in Tashkent includes Taneal Baptiste, Guy Brooks, Matthew Caldwell, Aimee Canny, Pieter Coetze, Dune Coetzee, Reuban Haylock, Riley Hemphill, Michael Houlie, Bailey Lambert, and Nicholas Trower.
With one day remaining in Uzbekistan, our athletes are perfectly positioned to close out Stop 2 on a high note. We will provide a final wrap-up article tomorrow following the conclusion of Day 3!
South Africa Medals
World Cup Leg — Tashkent
Pieter Coetze | 50m Backstroke | GoldWorld Record | 22.09 |
Pieter Coetze | 200m Backstroke | Gold | 1:49.32 |
Michael Houlie | 50m Breaststroke | Gold | 25.67 |
Matthew Caldwell | 400m Freestyle | Bronze | 3:40.95 |
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