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South African swimming sensation Pieter Coetze says he is determined to one day break the men’s 100m backstroke world record of 51.60 seconds, set by Italian Thomas Ceccon, but insists he feels no pressure to achieve it immediately.
Coetze, clocked an African record of 51.85 seconds to win gold in the 100m backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Speaking to SABC Sport he says while the record is a long-term target, he does not want to be consumed by it.
"I am, I mean I don't like saying that I'm going for a world record because that puts a lot of pressure on you, you look like an idiot when you say that and you end up not getting it,” Coetze said.
“So, I would say it's possible for me to break the world record, yes, I was 0.25 seconds away from breaking it so that's very close. Now, going forward when I compete in a big race, in the worlds [World Championships] or the Commonwealth [Games], I'm gonna know it's possible.
“I'm not gonna say, I'm going to this race to break the world record but I'm gonna know in the back of my mind it's doable and it might happen. So, that's my mindset in regards to that going forward."
At just 21 years old, Coetze has already been branded the poster boy of Swimming South Africa.
However, he says he will not allow the attention and pressure to distract him from his goals.
He admits that his star is rising but promises to stay humble and grounded as he continues his journey.
"Yeah, I was thinking about this the other day, I think my introduction into the sport on a higher level was when I was 16 and I qualified for the Olympics and it felt like there was a lot of attention on that,” he added.
“There was a lot of media and all of that staff, so that was like my baptism into the sport and since then nothing's really felt as intense as that because I was very young and it was very new to me.
“I think that prepared me so well for what was to come and ever since then I've really learnt how to use the pressure and enjoy it as well. Pressure is a privilege, I like it, I really enjoy it and just honoured to be seen as like you said, the poster boy of swimming, I guess."
