For the first time in eight years, Team South Africa stood on the podium at the World Athletics Championships, and it was Wayde van Niekerk who helped carry them there. The men’s 4x400m relay squad clinched bronze in Tokyo on Sunday, ending a long wait for a global medal and bringing relief to both athletes and fans back home.
A Return To The Podium
Van Niekerk, the world record-holder in the 400m, hadn’t tasted medal glory since his golden run at the 2017 London World Championships. This time, the 33-year-old wasn’t alone. Alongside Zakithi Nene, Lythe Pillay and youngster Kabelo Okon, he fought through challenging conditions to deliver a medal that feels bigger than bronze.
“It’s been years of questions and doubts,” Van Niekerk admitted in a post-race interview. “But being part of this team makes it all worth it. I fought for them, and I’m just grateful.”
Teammates Share The Moment
Each member of the team played their part. Pillay, who started the race, called it “a complete team effort.” Nene, who anchored, admitted the bronze softened the sting of finishing fifth in his individual 400m final. Okon, the youngest, laughed about running blind: “There was water on my glasses. I couldn’t even see Wayde!”
Their honesty revealed the raw side of championship racing. It was messy, difficult, and imperfect — but ultimately, it was enough to rewrite the script for South African athletics.
What Comes Next For Van Niekerk?
Now, the question hangs in the air: is this the last we’ll see of Van Niekerk on the world stage? At 33, the veteran remains undecided about whether to push through to the 2027 World Championships in Beijing — the city where he first announced himself to the world a decade ago.
Whatever his decision, Tokyo 2025 has reminded South Africa that its athletics dreams are not over. A bronze medal may not glitter like gold, but in this moment, it shines just as brightly.
Source: SABC Sport
Image Source: Track Gazette on X
