South African · Johannesburg, South Africa · Born 15 July 1992South African sprinter who holds the 400m world record of 43.03 seconds set at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the first man to run sub-10, sub-20, sub-44.
Wayde van Niekerk is a South African sprinter who set the world record in the 400 metres at the 2016 Rio Olympics with a stunning 43.03 seconds, running in the outside lane without being able to see his competitors. The fastest 400m runner in history, van Niekerk's potential was considered limitless before a serious knee injury in 2017 curtailed his career. His world record performance is considered one of the greatest individual track performances in athletics history.
World record holder in 400m (43.03 seconds)
How They Played
Explosive speed endurance, lane 8 world record performance
Lasting Impact
Greatest 400m runner of all time, first to break 10s, 20s, 44s
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold Medal 400m Rio 2016
- Olympic Gold Medal 200m Rio 2016
- World Record 43.03s 400m Rio 2016
- World Championship Gold 400m London 2017
- World Championship Bronze 200m London 2017
- Commonwealth Games Gold 400m Gold Coast 2018
- African Championship Gold 400m 2016
- IAAF World Athlete of the Year 2016
- Diamond League 400m Champion 2016
- South African Sportsman of the Year 2016
- Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award 2017
South African Athletes