Pieter Coetzé continues his unstoppable run at the 2026 China Swimming Open, claiming gold in three backstroke events.
Shenzhen, China (26 March 2026) – South Africa’s backstroke king, Pieter Coetzé, has made it three from three at the 2026 China Swimming Open in Shenzhen, cementing his dominance on the global stage. From the 50m to the 100m and the 200m backstroke, Coetzé has left the world’s best in his wake.
Pieter Coetzé claimed gold across the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke events at the 2026 China Swimming Open, delivering commanding performances against world-class competitors, including Olympic champion Thomas Ceccon.
At Longgang Universiade Centre, in the 50m, he clocked 24.83. But he wasn’t done. Moving up to the 100m backstroke, Coetzé once again held off Ceccon, stopping the clock at 52.73 to claim another gold medal. His final act of dominance came in the 200m backstroke, where he powered through once again.
Reflecting on his performance, Coetzé shared his joy and appreciation for the atmosphere in Shenzhen.
“It’s been amazing, so much fun, and having everything organized so well made it easy to perform.”
He also made sure to give a shoutout to the fans.
“I love Shenzhen, and I love the fans. Thank you all for all the support and for everyone who made this possible.”
The victories don’t just add medals to his collection; they also secure his spot at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. His clean sweep at the inaugural China Swimming Open 2026 has certainly set the tone for what promises to be an exciting year on the world stage.
His achievements in China mark him as a consistent force in international swimming. From a commanding 50m sprint to a gruelling 200m battle, Pieter Coetzé has proved he’s unbeatable in the pool.
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