Pieter Coetzé scooped gold in the men’s 200m backstroke on the opening night of the Athens leg of the FINA World Cup series on Friday.
He touched first in 1min 56.32sec to beat Italian Olympic and world championship medallist Thomas Ceccon (1:56.49).
Coetzé was second coming out the final turn, but he scorched the final lap in 28.93sec — he was the only one to go under 29 seconds — to secure the victory.
Matthew Sates cruised to victory in the men’s 100m butterfly in 51.82sec, beating Australian Cody Simpson by one-tenth of a second.
Chad Le Clos, who failed to qualify for the final in the first leg in Berlin last weekend, ended fifth in 52.21.
Swimming
Pieter Coetzé, Matthew Sates land gold on first day of World Cup in Athens
Image: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
Pieter Coetzé scooped gold in the men’s 200m backstroke on the opening night of the Athens leg of the FINA World Cup series on Friday.
He touched first in 1min 56.32sec to beat Italian Olympic and world championship medallist Thomas Ceccon (1:56.49).
Coetzé was second coming out the final turn, but he scorched the final lap in 28.93sec — he was the only one to go under 29 seconds — to secure the victory.
Matthew Sates cruised to victory in the men’s 100m butterfly in 51.82sec, beating Australian Cody Simpson by one-tenth of a second.
Chad Le Clos, who failed to qualify for the final in the first leg in Berlin last weekend, ended fifth in 52.21.
READ MORE
Sates strikes double gold in Berlin
Schoenmaker, Van Niekerk take breaststroke rivalry to world stage
Chad le Clos pulls out of world champs to focus on Olympic dream
Lara van Niekerk delivers highlight on speedy day at SA swimming champs
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos