Swimming South Africa Celebrates International Success and Honours Outstanding Athletes

Two athletes in particular rose to the podium with world-class achievements:
- Pieter Coetze: Gold (100m backstroke), Silver (200m backstroke), and Bronze (50m backstroke)
- Kaylene Corbett: Bronze (200m breaststroke)

Their success was complemented by a series of remarkable team milestones, including:
- Five new continental records in swimming
- Strong improvement by our diving team, ranked 24th globally
- Our open water athletes placing 27th in the world
- Exciting promise shown by our youth water polo teams
- Continued growth in artistic swimming, with junior teams competing internationally

To honour these accomplishments, SSA today awarded financial incentives to athletes and coaches:
- Athletes: R30 000 (Gold), R20 000 (Silver), R10 000 (Bronze)
- Coaches: R10 000 (Gold), R7 500 (Silver), R5 000 (Bronze)

“These results demonstrate that our long-term performance strategies are bearing fruit,” said Alan Fritz, President of Swimming South Africa. “With the invaluable support of our partners, such as the Bombela Concession Company, we are building towards our future goals - Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2036.”

SSA also highlighted a critical challenge: access to world-class aquatic facilities. Expanding partnerships with both government and the private sector remain essential to ensure athletes have the resources needed to compete consistently at the highest level.

“Our athletes have shown that South Africa belongs on the world stage. With the right investment, we can take them even further,” added Fritz.

Swimming South Africa congratulates all athletes, coaches, and teams who continue to fly the national flag proudly.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Mafata Modutoane
mafata.modutoane@swimsa.org or 073 226 5688.

Swimming South Africa is the governing body of aquatics in South Africa.

Its objective is to encourage the practice of aquatic disciplines for all in South Africa with the purpose of promoting swimming as a life skill through Learn to Swim programmes; providing healthy exercise to South Africans of all ages and races; recruiting recreational swimmers to compete in the various competitions; and promoting competition and athlete development to the highest level. Swimming South Africa is kindly supported by Bombela Concession Company, SASCOC, National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Arena, Sport & Recreation SA.