South Africa ends the World Aquatics Championships with four medals thanks to standout performances from Pieter Coetzé and Kaylene Corbett.
Singapore (04 August 2025) – What a weekend for South African swimming! Team Mzansi wrapped up the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore with four medals, finishing 16th on the medal table.
The man of the moment was 21-year-old Pieter Coetzé, who turned the backstroke events into his own medal factory. He opened his campaign in style with gold in the 100m backstroke, before grabbing silver in the 200m and another silver in the 50m dash. Along the way, he broke African records in all three events and became the only man at these championships to make the podium in every backstroke race. An achievement that cements his status as one of the rising stars of world swimming.
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Kaylene Corbett added the cherry on top with her first-ever world championship medal. The 26-year-old powered through the field in the 200m breaststroke to claim bronze, showing the fight that South Africans have come to love from her in the pool. Her performance also ensured that Team SA did not leave Singapore with just one hero, but two.
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By Sunday evening, South Africa’s final tally stood at one gold, two silvers, and one bronze. A haul that puts the country 16th overall.
Team South Africa gave fans plenty to cheer about this weekend. If this is a preview of what’s to come, the road to Paris 2028 already looks sparkling with a few gold medals to be secured.
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