3. WAYDE VAN NIEKERK
For an athlete who still considers himself ‘a baby when it comes to the 400m’ despite running the World Record (WR) in the event in 2016, there is no telling how much faster Van Niekerk can go in 2017. The most astounding aspects of the South African’s triumph at the Rio Olympics go beyond breaking Michael Johnson’s already scorching time of 43.18s.
Rather, the lane from which the 24-year old set the new WR of 43.03s is proof enough of his talent and dexterity, which is gradually tilting towards invincibility, because never in the history of the 400m has a WR been set from Lane 8! And if his new mark is anything to go by, the reigning World Champion looks set to become the first man ever to go under 43s.
Because unlike Beijing 2015 where he collapsed after crossing the finishing line in a then Personal Best (PB) of 43.48s and had to be wheeled away from the track immediately, running 43.03s in Rio wasn’t as tasking for Van Niekerk. And barring any injuries in 2017, the Commonwealth Games Silver medallist is favoured to retain his title in London.
His exclusive status as the only athlete to run a sub-10s in the 100m, sub-20s in the 200m and sub-44s in the 400m, demonstrates Van Niekerk’s versatility and prospects in the shorter sprints. He won the African title in the 200m (20.02s) at Durban 2016, and has made no secret of the fact that he is chasing Usain Bolt’s records. Many already see him as the successor to the legendary Jamaican who is set to retire after London 2017.
Last year, Van Niekerk took some time to train with Bolt in Jamaica and may just be getting set to re-invent himself. He said: “My dream is try to get where Usain Bolt is in 200m. He’s a massive inspiration and motivation for me to improve myself because I know it is possible”. Bolt said of the South African, “If he can clean up his technique on the corner, maybe he can do it.” It remains to be seen if Van Niekerk will focus on the shorter sprints in 2017, or perhaps go for the double!
