Pieter Coetze shines with second gold as Team SA target athletics surge in Glasgow

Pieter Coetze celebrates winning the men’s 200m backstroke at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, securing Team SA’s ninth medal of the meet. Photo: AFP Pieter Coetzecontinued to establish himself as the face ofTeam South Africa’s Commonwealth Games campaignon Sunday night, powering to a second gold medal in Glasgow as the national team prepared to broaden its medal assault with the start of the athletics programme on Monday. Having begun the day with six medals, all from swimming, Team SA finished with nine after Coetze’s stunning victory in the men’s 200m backstroke was complemented by silver for Aimee Canny in the women’s 100m breaststroke and bronze for Olivia Nel in the women’s 100m backstroke.

Coetze once again rewrote the Commonwealth Games record books, clocking a superb 1:54.22 to eclipse the previous mark and claim victory by more than two seconds. England’s Oliver Morgan settled for silver in 1:56.44, with compatriot Luke Greenbank taking bronze. The reigning world 100m backstroke champion was on world-record pace through the opening half of the race before fading slightly over the closing stages, though he still produced one of the outstanding performances of the Games.

“I think it was good. I definitely felt the pain on the second hundred after going out so fast,” Coetze said afterwards. “We’re thinking long term with that strategy and I wish I could have held on a bit better, but I’m just happy to get the win. It’s about winning the race at the end of the day and I got that done today, so I can’t complain.”