OSTRAVA, Czech Republic – Wayde van Niekerk had promised to get “ridiculous”, and the South African tyro hailed as Usain Bolt’s likely successor did just that when sprinting to a world record in the rarely-run 300m on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old raced home at the Golden Spike meet at the Mestsky Stadium in the north-eastern Czech city of Ostrava in an outstanding 30.81 seconds.
The previous world record of 30.85 was set at altitude in Pretoria in 2000 by American Michael Johnson.
It was the second time the 24-year-old South African has usurped Johnson, having broken his 17-year-old 400m world record when racing to victory at last year’s Rio Olympics.
Van Niekerk’s time also shattered the meet record of 30.97 – previously the second-fastest time ever run – set by Jamaican sprint star Bolt in 2010.
“I’m so pleased and grateful for this big achievement,” said Van Niekerk, whose first professional appearance on the IAAF circuit was over 400m at Ostrava.
“Thanks to all the people of Ostrava for this wonderful meeting. I’m honoured to be a small part of history.
“I have to rest a little, but after that, I hope I can continue to make baby-steps to be better day by day.”
Wayde van Niekerk said he was honoured to beat another Michael Johnson world mark. Photo: Reuters
Running in lane five, Van Niekerk enjoyed a scintillating start that saw him catapult down the back stretch and pass Isaac Makwala of Botswana after the first 80 metres.
Negotiating the bend with aplomb, the South African shot into the home straight well in the lead.
As he seemed to pull up slightly, Makwala pushed, but a final spurt saw Van Niekerk ease past Johnson’s previous best.
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The result is another feather in the cap for the world and Olympic 400m champion, who this year has set a leading mark of 19.84 in the 200m and a personal record of 9.94sec in the 100m.
Van Niekerk is also the first athlete to break 10 seconds for the 100m, 20 for the 200m and 44 for the 400m, and it is little wonder Bolt himself tips the South African as his most likely successor when he hangs up his spikes come season’s end.
Van Niekerk will aim to double up in the August 4-13 World Athletics Championships, in the 200m and 400m, meaning a packed racing programme of six back-to-back days of competition.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” he insisted. “I have faith in my coach, I just go out and try to execute to the best of my ability.
“This world record is a blessing. It’s a massive confidence-booster,” he acknowledged, dubbing it an “honour” to twice better Johnson.
Jamaican sprint superstar Bolt, meanwhile, fired to victory in the 100m in a modest 10.06 seconds, in what was his first appearance in Europe in his farewell season.
Usain Bolt had a slow start, but did enough in the last 40 metres to win the 100m. Photo: Reuters
“I love this crowd’s high energy. That’s why I come back here. I love you,” said Bolt, in his ninth appearance in Ostrava.
“I’m not happy with the time, but I’m getting into it.”
Bolt, winner of eight Olympic and 11 world gold medals, will bring down the curtain on his glittering career at August’s world championships in London.