Home » Wayde Van Niekerk Gives His ALL to WIN in Monaco, Caster Semenya Also Breaks Records

Wayde Van Niekerk Gives His ALL to WIN in Monaco, Caster Semenya Also Breaks Records

South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk won again tonight at the Monaco Diamond League athletics championship… giving it his all to take the 400 metre race in a Meet Record time of 43.73s. But his incredible effort – chased closely from behind by Isaac Makwala of Botswana – took its toll with Wayde just managing to […]

By SAPeople
21-07-17 22:14
in Fab South African Stuff

South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk won again tonight at the Monaco Diamond League athletics championship… giving it his all to take the 400 metre race in a Meet Record time of 43.73s.

But his incredible effort – chased closely from behind by Isaac Makwala of Botswana – took its toll with Wayde just managing to hold it together for the post-race ceremony. According to witnesses he could barely stand afterwards, and threw up.

Interviewed on French television, Wayde said it had been a beautiful moment to receive his medal from fellow South African athlete, former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock, who is now better known as Princess Charlene of Monaco. He said he was honoured to have received the medal from her, even though he had met her before.

Fans of the South African athlete have been stopping him in the streets of Monaco

The race was made even more special by the fact that all three top positions were filled by men from Africa – Wayde, Isaac and Baboloki Thebe (also from Botswana).

Wayde has become one of the undisputed stars of the Hercules Meeting this week.

Before tonight’s race, Wayde was sitting just outside the top eight, one point behind Matthew Hudson-Smith… but after tonight’s triumph he has now secured his place in the Final!

Usain Bolt told French reporters this afternoon that Wayde is the next big athletic star to watch.

South Africa’s Caster Semenya also won her race tonight in Monaco. The IAAF said: “Another Meeting record tumbles, as Caster Semenya puts in an phenomenal 800m performance to win in 1:55.27!! WL (World Leader) and MR (Meet Record)!!”

Wayde van Niekerk runs 43.62 in the Men’s 400m – IAAF Diamond League Lausanne 2017

Earlier this month, Wayde van Niekerk won at Lausanne in the time of 43.62 – a new Diamond League record and the world leading time.