Pieter Coetzé celebrated on the podium after winning gold in the men's 50m backstroke at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, breaking the Games record for a third time in under 36 hours. Photo: AFP
Pieter Coetze spearheaded another memorable night for Team South Africa at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday, storming to gold in the men's 50m backstroke as the national swimming team lifted the country's medal tally to six in Glasgow.
Having already broken the Commonwealth Games record twice on Friday, Coetze saved his best for the final, powering home in a blistering 24.18 seconds to lower the mark for a third time in less than 36 hours.
The 22-year-old was joined on the podium by compatriot Ruard van Renen, who claimed the bronze medal in 24.51 seconds to complete a famous evening for South African swimming.
"It's honestly been quite a tough time. I didn't know what was going to happen at all," Coetze said afterwards.
