Further Personal Information |
Occupation |
Athlete |
Languages |
English |
Sport Specific Information |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
He took up swimming at age eight in Rustenburg, South Africa. |
Why this sport? |
Initially a sprinter and rugby player, he was encouraged by his parents to take up swimming due to his older sister Jana's success at school level in the sport. |
Club / Team |
Tuks Swimming: Pretoria, RSA |
Name of coach |
Rocco Meiring [club]; Graham Hill [national], RSA |
General Interest |
Nicknames |
Oom [Afrikaans for 'uncle', a name given to him by South African swimmer Chad le Clos after le Clos was surprised by Coetze's tall stature at age 16]. (up.ac.za, 14 Apr 2021) |
Memorable sporting achievement |
Securing qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo at the 2021 South African National Championships in Gqeberha, South Africa. (up.ac.za, 14 Apr 2021) |
Hero / Idol |
Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, US swimmer Ryan Murphy, South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker. (up.ac.za, 14 Apr 2021; rekord.co.za, 21 Apr 2021; newframe.com, 29 May 2021) |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"If you don't believe you are the best, then you will never achieve all that you are capable of." [Cristiano Ronaldo] (up.ac.za, 14 Apr 2021) |
