Pieter Coetzé opened the SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha with a bang, becoming the first swimmer to qualify for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships. The 20-year-old hit 52.71 seconds in the men’s 100m backstroke final after an earlier 53.03 in the heats. Despite a long break from competition, Coetzé said the performance boosted his confidence ahead of his other events, including the 50m and 200m backstroke.
Jessica Thompson, 17, claimed the women’s 100m backstroke title in 1:01.68, edging out Milla Drakopoulos. Rebecca Meder, better known for the medley, showed her growing strength in breaststroke by winning her first national 100m breaststroke title in 1:07.50.
In the men’s 100m breaststroke, 19-year-old Chris Smith outpaced Michael Houlie to win in 1:01.57. Matt Sates kicked off his ambitious campaign by defending his 200m freestyle title in 1:47.49.
The women’s 200m freestyle was a tight battle, with Duné Coetzee clinching gold in 1:59.09, just ahead of Rebecca Meder and Aimee Canny.
Para-swimmers also shone brightly. Kat Swanepoel broke two SB4/S5 records in the 50m breaststroke and 100m backstroke, while Alani Ferreira set a new SB12 50m breaststroke record.
The championships continue through Sunday at Newton Park Swimming Pool.
SETTING THE MOOD WITH SHOW SPORT
Show Sports is South Africa’s leading hub for premium sports content and world-class tournaments. We bring fans closer to the action with a wide array of major sporting events and competitive tournaments across the country.