Pieter Coetze Sets African Record In 100 Back For the 2nd Time – 49.60

2022 FINA SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

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South Africa’s Pieter Coetze clocked a 49.60 in tonight’s final of the 100 back to set a new African record in the event. The 18-year-old broke his own record of 49.85, which he had set in the semifinals the last night.

His previous best time in the event entering the meet was 50.86, which he set at the Qatar World Cup stop in 2021.

After qualifying in 6th place out the semis, Coetze ended up just off the podium tonight in 4th behind Ryan Murphy, Lorenzo Mora, and Isaac Alan Cooper.

Coetze’s swims make him the first African man to dip below the 50.0 barrier in the event. The previous African record stood at 50.00, done by George Du Rand  at the FINA World Cup stop in Sweden in 2009.

Top 5 All-Time African Men’s SCM  100 Backstroke Performers

1. Pieter Coetze (RSA) – 49.60 (2022)
2. George Du Rand (RSA) – 50.00 (2009)
3. Johannes Zandberg (RSA) – 51.04 (2009)
4. Ruard Van Renen (RSA) – 51.50 (2022)
5. Zane Waddell (RSA) – 51.63 (2018)

In addition to being the fastest performer, Coetze now owns six of the all-time top ten swims for Africa. Du Rand owns the next highest number, with three swims in the top ten.

Coetze has the 50 back, 50 free, and 200 back remaining here at the 2022 SC World Championships.