VAN NIEKERK MOVES TO US

Facebook
X
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email

By Bongani Tshabalala

BLOEMFONTEIN-Wayde Van Niekerk who won the 2016 Olympic 400m in world record time is leaving South Africa and his long-time coach, 79 year old And Botha to join Noah Lyles’s training group in Florida. The 400m world record holder will join reigning 200m world champion Noah Lyle’s and fellow Olympic 400m champion Shaunae Miller- Uibo in Claremont, Florida to train under sprinting coach Lance Brauman. Van Niekerk and Lyle are not expected to be in direct individual competition in Tokyo. Lyle runs the 100m and 200m.

Though he won the 2017 silver medal in Lyles’s injury forced absence, Van Niekerk is expected to stick to the 400m this summer. Van Niekerk’s move to the U.S. marks the end of a nine year partnership with Ans ‘Tannie’ Botha. Botha, now 79, began coaching Wayde in 2012 when he was at University in South Africa. “I’ve spent most of my career under the guidance of ‘Tannie’ Ans” Wayde said in a statement announcing his coaching change.

“I can’t express the gratitude I have for everything she has done to help me get to this point in my career”, he wrote. “As much as I have enjoyed my experience with Tannie Ans and her group, I am hoping to break my world record”, he noted, Van Niekerk ran his world record at the Rio Olympics in 2016, crossing the line in 43.03 seconds then won the gold. He said he believes his best chance at breaking his world record would be by training alongside Lyles and other top sprinters ahead of the Tokyo Games.

Van Niekerk unstoppable.

This is not the first time Van Niekerk has made such a move, in 2016 he trained with Usain Bolt in Jamaica in the build up to the Rio Olympics. He is now looking for a similar spark to the one he found back then ahead of his world record in the 400m final. Van Niekerk who came so close to breaking 43 seconds in Rio, said that is his goal is moving forward. He wants to break his world record, but 43.01 or 43.02 won’t satisfy him. This would be an incredible result under normal circumstances, but Van Niekerk is coming off an injury (he tore his ACL in 2017) that kept him out of competition for more than two years, which will make running sub-43 even more remarkable.

The champion made his comeback last February and competed six times throughout 2020, winning each of his races, and he looks to be ready to continue his streak this season as he works towards Tokyo. Breaking the world record again would be an even greater feat given Van Niekerk’s obstacles during the last three and a half years, Van Niekerk will re-assess his plans after the Tokyo Olympics

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Bloemfontein
17/06
Tue
6°C
clear sky
Wed
daily_wether_icon
16°C
12°C
Thu
daily_wether_icon
16°C
11°C
Fri
daily_wether_icon
13°C
12°C
Sat
daily_wether_icon
10°C
11°C
Sun
daily_wether_icon
13°C
13°C
Mon
daily_wether_icon
14°C
14°C
Tue
daily_wether_icon
15°C
16°C
Related Posts
Maluti bus services excited to receive their trophy as they were crowned as the champions of the Thabiso Gamede Foundation soccer tournament
Read More
Sthembiso Mthombeni from the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Disaster Management team
Read More
Youth gathered at Monontsha Tribal Hall to celebrate youth day
Read More
16 June 2025
Thabiso Gamede Foundation tournament unites sports lovers
By Emily Setona QWAQWA – The Tebang Sports Ground pulsed with energy and emotion this past weekend as...
16 June 2025
Ex soccer star Paulous Masehe appeals to those with capital to invest in football talent
Former captain of Free State football club Paulous Masehe speaking at soccer tournament in memory of...
11 June 2025
UFS appoints first female VC
By Emily Setona BLOEMFONTEIN – In a landmark moment for gender equality and academic transformation,...
09 June 2025
Driven by compassion: nursing graduates inspired by personal journeys
By Emily Setona QWAQWA – A wave of hope and pride swept through the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Hall...
26 May 2025
Former FS Stars player laid to rest
By Teboho Moloi Free State – Family members, friends, footballers, and fans bid a final farewell to former...
21 May 2025
Lesedi FM’s Ba2cada hangs up his boots
By Teboho Moloi BOTSHABELO – The management of Botshabelo-based soccer club D’General FC has officially...
21 May 2025
D'General Ba2Cada o rekisa sehlopha
Sebohudi sa dipapadi Lerato Lefu sere qeto ya sebohudi sa Lesedi FM Nyakallo Ba2cada Leine le botsamaisi...
07 May 2025
Winter burn injuries prompt call for community education
By Staff Reporter BLOEMFONTEIN — As temperatures drop, hospitals across the Free State brace for a seasonal...
03 May 2025
“Fake King” sparks outrage after Zuma’s visit
By Emily Setona QWAQWA – The Kholokoe Royal Council has issued media statement condemning the illegal...
02 May 2025
University murder suspect remanded in custody
By Teboho Moloi QWAQWA – A 26-year-old woman, Ntombizodumo Radebe, from Phuthaditjhaba, broke down in...