Coetzé charges into 100m backstroke final with world-leading form

Pieter Coetzé booked his place in the 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, after powering to second place in his semi-final on Monday, finishing ahead of Olympic champion Thomas Ceccon of Italy.

The 21-year-old star had secured his semi-final spot with a time of 52.80 seconds in the morning heat and then went even quicker in the semis, clocking 52.29.

That performance saw Coetzé qualify third-fastest for the final, behind Hungary’s Hubert Kós (52.21) and Russia’s Kliment Kolesnikov (51.26).

Coetzé heads into Tuesday final with the fastest time in the world this year, having claimed gold at the World University Games in Germany just nine days ago. There, he posted an impressive African and World Student Games record time of 51.99 seconds, becoming only the eighth swimmer ever to dip under 52 seconds in the 100m backstroke.

He also won gold in the 50m backstroke and earned a surprise silver in the 100m freestyle at the University Games.

“It was good. I just wanted to make it back for the final and I was happy with the time and the swim, and to get second in the semis is a good result,” said Coetzé, after his semi-final.

“I knew it was going to be fast … I’ve swum with most of these guys but the Russians are new to me.

"I haven’t swum against them and they’re also really fast, but I don’t really focus on the people I’m racing against. I just focus on what I need to do.”

As for the final, he added: “I know what I need to do, so I’ll just go and look at the video and see where I can work on things and come back refreshed tomorrow.”

Earlier in the day, three other South Africans were in action in the morning heats.

Rebecca Meder finished ninth in her heat and 27th overall in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:07.50.

“It was a personal best time for me, so I can't complain — that's the best I've ever swum in the 100 breast,” she said.

Matt Sates, meanwhile, placed 32nd overall in the 200m freestyle heats, clocking 1:48.45.

“It wasn't my best one. I think I went out a little bit hard, so I died at the end,” he admitted. “But it's nice racing for South Africa and to get the first race done.”

Catherine van Rensburg, who also competed in the open water events at these championships, finished 26th overall in the 1 500m freestyle.

“That was very hard. I did not enjoy it really,” she said. “I felt strong in the warm-up and all, but it looks like it didn't all work out.”

Swimming action continues on Tuesday with Chris Smith in the 50m breaststroke heats and Aimee Canny in the 200m freestyle heats, while Coetzé will be aiming to secure South Africa’s first medal of the championships in the 100m backstroke final.