Wayde van Niekerk, golden boy of South Africa and the world! Van Niekerk obliterated Michael Johnson’s 400m world record in a sensational run to win South Africa’s first gold medal at the Rio Olympics on Monday morning.
Van Niekerk clocked 43.03, smashing American Johnson’s 1999 mark of 43.18 in the Olympic Stadium in an astonishing exhibition of running.
It was well clear of his previous best of 43.48.
The 24-year-old went out in customary quick fashion, but where he had in previous races slowed down towards the end, there was no stopping Van Niekerk this time as he streaked away from the rest of the field in the home straight to become the hero of South African sport.
Independent Media