It’s not often we write about things that happen outside the Western Cape, but then again it’s not often that one of our own obliterate all opposition at the Olympics. Early this morning, Wayde van Niekerk won SA’s first gold medal and set the new world record in the men’s 400 metres at the Rio Olympics.
In fact, he didn’t just set a new world record, he shattered Michael Johnson’s 17-year-old record by 0.15 seconds. winning in 43.03 seconds from the outside lane. No one has ever won the race in lane 8!
Since his amazing win, Wayde has been trending all over world. Everything from his Cape Town roots to his coach, 74-year-old Ans Botha and Usain Bolt’s coach Glen Mills. Here are some of our favourite Twitter reactions to Wayde’s win:
Thank you to everyone…
GOD IS POWER pic.twitter.com/hQIRy0ynhN
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) August 15, 2016
Usain Bolt’s reaction to Wayde van Niekerk’s WR 43.03 in the 400m final. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/GJIaMLGzIZ
— Stephen Nelson (@Stephen__Nelson) August 15, 2016
My two favorite athletes in #Rio2016 Wayde van Niekerk & Usain Bolt after the race. #vanNiekerk #UsainBolt #HappyDay pic.twitter.com/9u8LGurO6T
— WC (@WC_westcoast) August 15, 2016
Well done, Coach! #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/Vp7JEOlaWp
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 15, 2016
Congrats @WaydeDreamer you beauty! Gold and a new world record!! Aweh #TeamSA!! #VanNiekerk #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/ADhue7gqFE
— Meruschka (@MzansiGirl) August 15, 2016
Just when we thought the #VanNiekerk story couldn’t get any better: his coach, Ans Botha, 74 yrs young! pic.twitter.com/Lab1vqyHNa
— Gabrielle Amado (@gabbyamado) August 15, 2016
Congrats, Wayde! You made Cape Town and South Africa incredibly proud!
Photography courtesy and Twitter
Congrats from California . .