NANTERRE, FRANCE – AUGUST 1: Pieter Coetzee of South Africa wins the gold medal during the Men’s … [+]
At the second stop of the 2024 World Cup, Pieter Coetze lowered his own African record in the 50-meter backstroke. Coetze, who was the only man to go under 23 seconds in the race, managed to touch the wall in 22.80, lowering 0.04 from his own previous record set at the 2022 World Short Course-Championship.
He was followed by Australia’s Isaac Cooper and Swiss swimmer Thierry Bolin, who claimed silver and bronze in 23.10 and 23.20, respectively.
This win came for Coetze after he fell short by two tenths of a second from gold in Shanghai. The 20-year-old claimed silver in 22.95 as Isaac Copper finished first.
Coetze has showcased staunch outings in the 200-meter backstroke as well. In Shanghai, he claimed his new personal best in the event by breaking 1:50 (1:49.12). His timing has made him close to 2006 Commonwealth champion George Du Rand’s African record of 1:47.08 in short course. On the first day at Incheon, he again won the gold in the 200-meter event in 1:50.05.
After setting a new European and World Cup record in Shanghai, Leon Marchand continues to keep up his pace in the 200-meter IM. Following a strong competition from Duncan Scott, he emerged the winner in 1:50.91. Marchand took the lead in breastroke in 0.49 and maintained the fastest time within the final 25 for a podium finish. He was the only swimmer to go under the 1:50 in the race.
Scott, representing Great Britain, finished second in 1:51.25, while Daiya Seto from Japan claimed bronze in 1:52.36.
Siobhan Bernadette Haughey of Hong Kong reacts after winning the women’s 200m freestyle during the … [+]
To no one’s surprise, Siobhan Haughey claimed gold in the 200-meter freestyle. Dominating the race from the start, the 26-year-old touched the wall in 1:51.02. Brittany Castelluzzo, who was three seconds away, placed second in 1.54.11. Milla Jansen from Australia secured a podium finish as well in 1:54.98. With this performance, she improved her previous performance in Shanghai by tenths of seconds. She claimed gold at the first stop in 1:51.46, followed by Canada’s Mary Harvey’s 1:53.36.
With the absence of many athletes from the World Cup, including World Champion Sarah Sjostrom, Haughey capitalized on the chance and also claimed gold in both the 100m backstroke races so far.
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