Team South Africa made a powerful splash at the FISU World University Games as Pieter Coetze delivered a historic performance in the men’s 100m backstroke, earning Africa’s first medal of the competition.

The 21-year-old Olympian rewrote the record books on Saturday night, smashing a long-standing FISU Games record in the semifinal with a time of 52.18, bettering the 2017 Taipei record of 53.29. But Coetze wasn’t done yet in the final; he pushed even harder to clock an astonishing 51.99 seconds, setting a new national and African record and marking a monumental moment for South African and continental sport.

“I am so happy to get a medal for South Africa, thank you for all the support and to the whole team watching in the stands – it has been an amazing meet so far,” Coetze said after the race.

He added, “After yesterday, I would’ve taken that [time], but I came back this morning with a lot of focus and intent, I was able to drop it more, so I am super happy.”

Also, Renen, Brooks, Moll & Nel won bronze in the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay for South Africa, while Tunisia’s Shaima Tomy won Taekwondo in the 57 kg.

Meanwhile,Vice President Ahshad Tariq congratulated the African athletes who won medals in their respective sports.

He said, “As vice president of the African Federation for Collegiate Sport, I would like to congratulate South African swimmer Peter Coetiz for winning gold in the 100m back and breaking the world university record with a time of 51.88 and also to the Tunisian athlete Shaima Tomy for winning silver in Taekwondo with 57 kg, on the third day of the Summer University Games held in Brian Rohr in Germany.”

As the games continue, African athletes are striving to win more medals.

Written by Hassan Abdulsalam, Member of the FASU Media Committee