Wayde, Caster, Luvo may just have the world at their feet by the end of the year

ONE GLOBAL mark down and two to go as South African athletes are looking to rewrite the world track and field record books. The world expected Olympic 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya to break the world record in the two-lap event in 2016 but instead, it was Wayde van Niekerk who produced the magic in Rio.

If long-jump sensation Luvo Manyonga and Semenya’s upward trajectories in their respective events are anything to go by, they may be joining Van Niekerk in adding the SA flag behind world records.

Semenya’s absolute dominance in the 800m in 2016 fuelled speculation that she would break the dust-covered world record at the global showpiece.

Talk of Semenya breaking Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvilova’s long-standing world record of 1:53.28 set in 1983 did not materialise, but the South African nevertheless improved on her national mark to claim the Olympic title.

While Semenya has always been reluctant to discuss the possibility of breaking the world record, she struck a slightly different tone earlier this year at the ASA Speed Series in Potchefstroom. “The world record is obviously on my mind when I look at the splits they run; if you work hard you can achieve those goals,” Semenya said at the time.

At her final race before the world champs, Semenya lowered her national record by 0.01 seconds, indicating some good form going into the global showpiece. Adding the 1 500m to her repertoire for the championships may complicate her chances of getting closer to the global mark, but nothing seems to be impossible for her.

Adding his name to the SA world-record mix is Manyonga, who has leapt to four distances above 8.60m at four consecutive meets.

The 26-year-old has made overtures about breaking the nine-metre barrier which would launch him into the record books. He clearly has Mike Powell’s long-standing record of 8.95m set in 1991 in his sights and given his progression, he may soon be giving it a go.

Which brings us to Van Niekerk, who has made his intentions of becoming the first man to dip below 43 seconds in the 400m as he looks to improve on his world record of 43.03. Imagine three new world records by South Africans before the end of the year. Wouldn’t that be amazing?