Pieter Coetze looks forward to attending 1st national awards ceremony

Coetze previously won the award in 2022 but was unable to attend the ceremony and collect it himself after falling ill.

This time, the 22-year-old will be there in person to enjoy the glitz and glamour of the prestigious event.

He is nominated in a tough category alongside boxer Kevin Lerena and golfer Christiaan Maas, but Coetze says he is simply honoured to be part of the ceremony.

"It's a huge honour. I won the award back in 2022 but I was unable to attend because I was sick. To be nominated again and to be there for the first time is really exciting."

READ: Mpumelelo Mhlongo never gets used to winning awards

The 2025 season was one to remember for the 2024 Olympian, who enjoyed a breakthrough year on the international stage.

Coetze took a few risks and was rewarded with major medals at the World University Games in Germany and the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

The University of Pretoria student proved that his success in Singapore was no fluke when he continued his impressive form at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this month.

Coetze won three individual medals, broke a Games record and added more medals in the relay events to help Team South Africa’s swimming team enjoy a successful campaign.

"Commonwealth is always a fun event and it was when I won my first international medal. In some races at the last games, I wish I could've swam faster, but all in all it went very well. It's not about times at these meets, it's just about getting in the water and competing for those gold medals. To have achieved those three relay medals was amazing as well, because we really want to get our relays up there with the best."

The former Hoërskool Rustenburg learner is also keeping his biggest dream firmly in sight - winning his first Olympic medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Coetze believes his recent success is part of a bigger journey as he continues to grow and improve as a swimmer.