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Explore the life of Liverpool fan and 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, considering his historic Olympic feat, an upsetting injury and his ambition to return to the top.
Who is Wayde van Niekerk?
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Wayde van Niekerk is a South African track and field sprinter who specialises in the 200m and 400m. He is considered a sprint icon, known for his incredible speed and record-breaking performances.
Van Niekerk rose to prominence in the mid-2010s, winning the 400m gold medal at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, signalling his arrival on the global stage.
His defining moment came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he achieved legendary status in the 400m event. Running from lane 8, he shattered Michael Johnson's long-standing 400m world record, winning gold in a breathtaking time of 43.03 seconds.
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This remarkable feat made him the first athlete to sub 10 seconds for the 100m, sub 20 seconds for the 200m, and sub 44 seconds for the 400m.
Van Niekerk continued his dominance in 2017, defending his 400m world title and winning silver in the 200m at the World Championships in London. He also set a world-best time in the rarely contested 300m.
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Unfortunately, a serious knee injury sustained in a charity rugby match in 2017 hampered his progress. He underwent a lengthy rehabilitation process, missing major competitions and facing an uncertain future.
Despite the setback, Van Niekerk has shown incredible resilience and determination to return to the track in 2021, aiming to return to his best form. The South African athlete reached the 400m semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics but ended fourth, thus missing out on the chance to defend his title.
He competed in the 200m event at the Paris 2024 Games, but could not make the final, finishing joint-seventh in the third semi-final.
The South African athlete supports Premier League side Liverpool.
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Wayde van Niekerk Age
Wayde van Niekerk was born on July 15, 1992. The South African athlete is 32 years old as of October 26, 2024.
Wayde van Niekerk Height
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Wayde van Niekerk is 6 feet tall. In metres, the South African athlete is 1.83m tall.
Where was Wayde van Niekerk born?
Wayde van Niekerk was born in Cape Town, South Africa.
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When did Wayde van Niekerk start running?
Wayde van Niekerk started running at 17 when he qualified for the 200m at the 2010 World U20 Championships, prompting him to switch from his initial focus on the high jump.
Wayde van Niekerk Olympics
Wayde van Niekerk’s Olympic journey has been mixed, with the South African athlete experiencing elation and disappointment in all three appearances.
He made history in his Rio 2016 debut, winning the gold medal in the 400m in a stunning time of 43.03 to break Michael Johnson's long-standing world record despite running from lane 8.
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Unfortunately, Van Niekerk was not at his physical peak at Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) due to a serious knee injury. He made the semi-final but could not defend his title.
At the Paris Games in 2024, Van Niekerk decided to compete in the 200m event and not the 400m due to his ongoing recovery from a knee.
Despite progressing from the heats, he missed out on a gold medal shot after finishing joint-last in the semis.
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His 400m gold medal in Rio remains his only podium finish, as of October 2024.
Wayde van Niekerk vs Michael Johnson
Although from different eras, Wayde van Niekerk and Michael Johnson are compared due to the South African athlete’s Rio 2016 feat.
Johnson's previous 400m record of 43.18 seconds was set at the 1999 World Championships in Seville until Van Niekerk broke it 17 years later in Rio with his 43.03 time.
Wayde van Niekerk Injury
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Wayde van Niekerk's career has been punctuated by several injuries, most notably a severe knee injury in October 2017 that significantly hampered his progress.
During a celebrity touch rugby match in Cape Town, he tore the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, requiring surgery and sidelining him for 16 months.
The setback occurred just a year after his historic 400m world record and Olympic gold medal in Rio, casting a shadow over his future in the sport.
While he has shown incredible resilience in returning to the track, the 2017 knee injury remains a significant setback in his career.
According to the Olympics website, other injuries that have affected Van Niekerk include:
April 2011: A grade one hamstring strain that troubled him for two years.
August 2016: Hamstring and back injuries that he overcame to win Olympic gold in Rio.
July 2019: A bone contusion in his right knee that sidelined him for several months.
Where does Wayde van Niekerk train?
Wayde van Niekerk currently trains in Clermont, Florida, USA. He moved there in 2021 to join the Pure Athletics training group, coached by Lance Brauman.
The South African trains alongside other elite athletes, including American 200m world champion Noah Lyles and Bahamian 400m Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo
Wayde van Niekerk Coach
Wayde van Niekerk's coach is Lance Brauman. The South African athlete began working with Brauman in February 2021 after his split with longtime coach Ans Botha.
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The move to the United States and a new training environment was seen as a way to revitalise his career after his serious knee injury and help him regain his peak form.
Wayde van Niekerk Medals
Olympic Games
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2016 Rio
Gold (400m)
World Championships
2015 Beijing
Gold (400m)
2017 London
Gold (400m), Silver (200m)
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African Championships
2014 Marrakesh
Silver (400m)
2016 Durban
Gold (200m, 4x100m relay)
Commonwealth Games
2014 Glasgow
Silver (400m)
Others
Universiade
2013 Kazan
Silver (4x400m relay)
Continental Cup
2014 Marrakesh
Gold (4x400m relay)
Wayde van Niekerk Personal Bests
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Event | Time | Venue | Date | |
100m | 9.94 | Velenje, Slovenia | 20 June 2017 | |
200m | 19.84 | Kingston, Jamaica | 10 June 2017 | Former NR |
300m | 30.81 | Ostrava, Czech Republic | 28 June 2017 | National Best |
400m | 43.03 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 14 August 2016 | WR, OR |
4x100m relay | 38.84 | Durban, South Africa | 24 June 2016 | |
4x400m relay | 3:00.02 | Marrakesh, Morocco | 14 September 2014 |
NR: National Record
OR: Olympic Record
WR: World Record
Wayde van Niekerk Parents
Wayde van Niekerk's biological parents, Wayne van Niekerk and Odessa Swarts (nee Krause), are divorced. His mother, Odessa, later remarried Steven Swarts, who became Wayde's stepfather.
The 400m world record holder previously lived with his mom and stepfather in Bloemfontein.
Wayde van Niekerk Sister
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Wayde van Niekerk has a younger sister named Kayla Swarts. She is a field hockey player and was part of the South African women's team that qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This made the Paris Olympics a special event for the van Niekerk family, as both siblings competed at the Games.
Wayde van Niekerk Wife
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Wayde van Niekerk is married to Chesney Campbell. They tied the knot on October 29, 2017.
Chesney is a marketing consultant and also a former athlete herself, having competed in the 100m hurdles.
They welcomed their first child, a son named Elijah, in 2021.
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Wayde van Niekerk Net Worth
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Wayde van Niekerk's net worth is estimated to be around $3 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
This figure likely accounts for his career earnings from prize money, endorsements, and probable ventures.
Van Niekerk has earned significant prize money from his Olympic and World Championship victories, as well as Diamond League events.
He has endorsement deals with Adidas, Richard Mille (watches) and other brands, which contribute to his income.
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Wayde van Niekerk Social Media
Wayde van Niekerk maintains an active presence on social media, particularly on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).
As of October 2024, the South African sprinter has amassed a considerable following, with 376,000 followers on Instagram (@waydedreamer) and 128,300 followers on X (@WaydeDreamer).
He frequently engages with fans on these platforms, sharing updates on his training, competitions, and personal life.
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