Twenty-five years ago today, God sent his second son Wayde Van Niekerk down to earth to bless us with his unabated talent.
Our very own golden boy has given us all some wonderful moments to enjoy, so what better present could we get him than a top-six countdown of his finest achievements?
6) Wayde nails a short distance sprint on home turf at the African Championships
Men’s 200m, Durban, 2016
Just before he made us lose our minds in Rio, Van Niekerk competed at the 2016 African Championships in Durban. He smashed the 20-second barrier for the 200m and, in a now legendary interview, claimed he was ‘waiting for his moment to come’.
Read: Now this is scary – Van Niekerk says he almost quit athletics five years ago
5) You never forget your first… Wayde scores his maiden medal with bronze in Kazan
4 x 400m relay, Russia, 2013
This is where Wayde really kicked things into fifth gear. After a turbulent 18 months of injury rehabilitation and finding his best discipline, this run in Kazan set WVN on a now familiar path to podium places
4) Records tumble in the IAAF Diamond League:
Men’s 400m, Switzerland, 2017
This was a Diamond League record, continuing the magnificent 2017 Wayde’s having. He’s smashed his personal bests in the 100m, 200m, and 300m and this was another show of strength from the birthday boy.
3) History is made in Ostrava
Men’s 300m, Czech Republic, 2017
The Cape Storm (that nickname will catch on) made Michael Johnson look like he was a pensioner. The 300m is a rarity and isn’t run often, which will suit Wayde just fine as he is now the fastest man to ever run in this race: Phenomenal!
2) The King of Beijing claims his first gold at the World Championships
Men’s 400m, China, 2015
He got his first taste of gold in China, and his appetite has been ravenous ever since. This was the first time he had truly stamped his authority on the sport, and he never looked back.
1) The day the entire world was blown away by our boy.
Men’s Olympic 400m, Brazil, 2016
Where were you when Wayde took the Olympic gold? Who did you celebrate with, and how proud were you? I’ll let you reflect on all these wonderful questions as this fan footage perfectly captures the victory, and what it meant to South African spectators.
Happy Birthday, champ!
