New golden boy snares 400

EVERYONE wants him to be the next Bolt and Wayde van Niekerk is at least following a crucial part of that script — winning gold medals.

Since breaking the 400m record at last year’s Rio Olympics, the South African has been anointed as the man most likely to take over the mantle from the retiring Usain Bolt as the next big thing of track and field.

Van Niekerk’s second world title was never in doubt and he even eased down on the line to claim gold in 43.98 sec.

Steven Gardiner, of the Bahamas, took silver (44.41sec) with Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun taking bronze (44.48sec).

Van Niekerk is trying to win the 400m/200m double, which has not been done at a world championships since American legend Michael Johnson in Gothenburg in 1995.

In fact, no one has come close and the 25-year-old was already thinking about the shorter event after capturing the one-lap title.

“It is amazing to win the world title,” van Niekerk said. “It is a blessing. I hope the fans enjoyed that.

“I’m used to the lactic [acid in legs] but I need a few minutes to recover from that effort and I’ll be fine.

“I’ve got a good team who will help me recover well for the 200m and I’m looking forward to that.”

With Olympic champion David Rudisha missing with injury, Frenchman PierreAmbroise Bosse claimed the 800m world title.