Clarence Munyai: Five quick facts about the new SA 200m record holder

Here are some quick facts about SA’s fastest man over 200m.

19-03-2018 10:37

If the fastest man in South Africa thought he would have lifelong rights to the title, he is best served looking over his shoulder… Literally!

On Friday, Clarence Munyai carved his name into history by shattering the South African 200m record, previously held by Wayde van Niekerk – clocking 19.69 seconds as he breezed through the semi-finals of the national championships.

The 20-year old further signaled that when it comes to the next generation of sprinters that will dominate the circuit for years to come, SA may be where it’s at.

19.69! Clarence Munyai smashes the South African 200m record of 19.84, which was held by Wayde van Niekerk. The dude’s 20 years old, and he just cracked that in a semi-final. Unbelievable! #TopUpTuks

— Wesley Botton (@wesbotton) March 16, 2018

He is well on his way too becoming a household name, so here are a few quick facts about SA’s fastest man over 200m.

Not to be mistaken with Terrence Munyai

Although we admit, it may be near impossible to tell them apart.

Clarence has four siblings, three sisters and one brother – an identical twin named Terrence. As expected, he was super proud of his bro.

I don’t know what to say bro ???? Am proud brother ????@clarence_munyai pic.twitter.com/KTLOEa0Yhp

— Terry????☄????® (@Terrence_munyai) March 16, 2018

Munyai’s record puts him in elite company

Eclipsing the Olympic 400m champion’s feat on its own is massive, but his record-breaking time sees him also crack the top 10 of the fastest men over 200m.

The list, headed by Usain Bolt (who else?), consists of names such as Yohan Blake, Michael Johnson, Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay.

The second fastest in Africa

The 20-year old also came close to breaking the African record as well – 0.01 seconds close, to be exact – as he almost equalled Namibian legend, Frankie Federicks time of 19.68 seconds, which he achieved before the South African was even born, back in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Personal bests

Friday’s record-shattering performance highlighted the fact that the young speedster is currently in the form of his life and, given his age, the best may still be yet to come.

Just barely a month ago, Munyai had just achieved his personal best in the 100m in on the very same track, clocking a time of 10.10 seconds. We reckon it’s only a just a matter of time before he goes sub-10.

Last year in Ostrava, Czech Republic, he lined up against Van Niekerk for the rarely contested 300m.

In a field which also consisted of Botswana’s Isaac Makwaala, the 20-year old came third in an all-Africa podium, taking an entire second off his previous personal best to finish in a time of 31.61.

However, his performance was overshadowed by his countryman, who broke Michael Johnson’s longstanding world record by clocking a time of 30.81.