Backstroke sensation Pieter Coetzé arrives at this week's SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha in red-hot form after a dominant showing at the recent China Open.
Image: World Aquatics
Fresh off a statement-making performance on the international stage, backstroke sensation Pieter Coetzé will arrive in Gqeberha this week as the man to watch when South Africa’s elite swimmers battle for Commonwealth Games qualification at the Bombela Concession Company SA National Swimming Championships.
The five-day meet, taking place at the Newton Park Swimming Pool from April 14-18, is the country’s premier domestic event and the primary selection opportunity for Team SA ahead of this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. While national titles are on the line, the bigger prize is a place on the plane – and few come in with more momentum than Coetzé.
The University of Pretoria star is riding high after a dominant showing at the recent China Open, where he completed a clean sweep of the backstroke events against world-class opposition. Despite that form, the reigning 100m backstroke world champion remains grounded.
“With China going very well, I think it was a good indicator that I'm on track to perform well at nationals and see if I can build on that for the rest of the season. It was a good place to start,” said Coetzé, who has entered the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke as well as the 50 and 100m freestyle in Gqeberha.
Rebecca Meder is determined to book her spot at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year, where she hopes to make up for the disappointment of last year's World Aquatics Championships.
Image: World Aquatics
“I’m hoping to just get some good performances on the board and obviously qualify for the team. But just improving on my performances in China and my performances in previous years at nationals will be something that I’ll be happy with for nationals this year."
Olympic butterfly gold medallist Chad le Clos returns to the national stage with his sights set on a fifth Commonwealth Games appearance.
“I'm really excited for next week. I haven't swum many long-course races since the Olympics. I think I've only done one," said Le Clos.
"I’m a little nervous, I’m not going to lie but I feel good and confident, as I always do.”
In the women’s field, Lara van Niekerk will be eager to make her mark after missing last year’s championships. The reigning Commonwealth Games breaststroke champion over 50m and 100m enters the meet in a positive space and will again contest both events.
Those races are expected to be among the highlights of the week, with New Zealand-based Rebecca Meder emerging as a serious contender across multiple disciplines. She will go head-to-head with Kaylene Corbett in the 200m breaststroke. Corbett claimed bronze at last year’s World Aquatics Championships and added three more bronze medals in the breaststroke events at the China Open.
“Commonwealth Games is a very big one in my eyes this year, especially after last year's world champs,” Meder said.
"I think it was a bit of a bitter taste after world champs, knowing how on-form I was, but then unfortunately getting sick 12 to 24 hours before that 200m breaststroke with the gastro bug that the Americans brought in
Rebecca Meder of South Africa. Photo: World Aquatics
Image: Supplied
“I was really disappointed and walked back feeling quite unsatisfied … I feel like this year I'm fired up and ready to go for Commonwealth Games. I'm hungry and I am really wanting to achieve well there.”
Elsewhere, rising talents such as Erin Gallagher and Jessica Thompson – fresh off an African record in the 50m backstroke – will be looking to strengthen their claims for selection, alongside breaststroker Chris Smith.
The championships will also showcase South Africa’s leading Para swimmers, including Christian Sadie, who returns in encouraging form after a standout performance at last year’s World Para Swimming Championships.