Capee Town - Wayde van Niekerk can go even faster says his coach “Tannie” Ans Botha.
Tannie Ans saw her Kraaifontein-born ace shatter Michael Johnson’s legendary world record with a gold-medal-winning run on Monday morning.
And she believes that Wayde can go even lower than his incredible mark of 43.03.
She reveals: “It was in our minds to go under 43. That is what we had planned for in training.”
The simplicity with which she dropped such a revelation forced some Rio media to do a double take.
She, however, knows what she is talking about, having coached Namibian sprint star Frankie Fredericks in the past.
Former South African 400m star Arnaud Malherbe also believes there is more to come from Van Niekerk.
“To see Michael Johnson’s 43.18 world record reduced to this! This is not breaking a record, this is shattering it…
“That record was one of the best out there. He was just phenomenal and for Wayde to do this is incredible.
“The composure with which he kept his form for the last 50-60m was a joy to behold.
“I can’t wait to speak to him and his coach and here more from them.. there are just so many stats and record that he broke.”
Looking into this crystal ball, Malherbe knows there’s more to come.
“I’m almost 100 percent sure he’ll be under 43sec maybe next year or maybe within a year or two but he just continues to surprise me and exceed my wildest expectations.”
Daily Voice