South African world record holder in the 400m whose stunning sub-43-second run in Rio 2016 shattered the world record and announced him as one of the most gifted sprinters in track and field history.
Wayde van Niekerk is a South African sprinter who set the world record in the 400 metres at the 2016 Rio Olympics with a stunning 43.03 seconds, running in the outside lane without being able to see his competitors. The fastest 400m runner in history, van Niekerk's potential was considered limitless before a serious knee injury in 2017 curtailed his career. His world record performance is considered one of the greatest individual track performances in athletics history.
World record holder in 400m (43.03 seconds)
How They Played
Explosive speed endurance, lane 8 world record performance
Lasting Impact
Greatest 400m runner of all time, first to break 10s, 20s, 44s