The Athens stretch of the Swimming World Cup saw more big wins for Team South Africa, with 19-year-old Pieter Coetzé joining Matthew Sates in the winner’s lane after earning gold and double silver:
Athens, Greece (16 October 2023) — After a weekend packed with heat in Athens as part of the Swimming World Cup’s second stretch, 19-year-old Pieter Coetzé sits proudly alongside teammate Matthew Sates at the winner’s table for his exceptional performances.
Sates was initially the only South African who made rank in the World Aquatics World Cup top 5 swimmers list for men and women for the first stretch of the Cup in Berlin. However, thanks to Coetzé’s recent victories in Athens, he has become the second South African burning with pride in the swimmer’s spotlight; joining the top 5 list while bringing home silver and gold for South Africa.
Coetzé earned gold for his 200m backstroke on the first night of the World Cup series, while scooping silver for his 100m backstroke and 50m backstroke heats later on.
Meanwhile, Sates remained steadfast in his leading lane, adding three more gold medals to his tally for his 100m and 200m butterfly as well as his 200m medley performance. Adding a silver cherry to the victory cake, he finished off the Athens experience in second for the 400m medley.
The two will lead South Africa through the next and final splash of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2023 in Budapest, Hungary from 20 October to 22 October.
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