Wayde’s confidence lights the path for SA

When Wayde van Niekerk lunged across the line in last year’s Olympic 400m final, his new world record was not only an historic breakthrough for South African athletics, it also allowed him to extend a crucial branch of self-belief which his compatriots have grabbed with absolute fervour.

At this stage, Van Niekerk is the country’s only track and field world record holder. By the end of the year, however, the nation may boast as many as four.

Possessing uninhibited exuberance, Luvo Manyonga seems to be limited by nothing, and his tremendous potential could shatter barriers in the men’s long jump.

After overcoming well-publicised personal battles away from the track, Manyonga’s resurgence over the last 15 months has been remarkable.

He was producing such impressive leaps at the SA Senior Championships in Potchefstroom last month, Manyonga had journalists in the press box discussing the potential need (only half-jokingly) to extend the length of the pit.

Manyonga isn’t just good, he’s a one-in-a-lifetime talent who has the ability to showcase the human form at the height of its physical prowess.

He talks about Mike Powell’s 26-year-old world record of 8.95m as if he has already broken it, as if it’s just a formality.

Manyonga is not concerned about voicing his confidence because deep down he doesn’t just think he can break the nine-metre mark. He knows he can.

Caster Semenya’s ability to break the women’s 800m record of 1:53.28, set by controversial Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvilova back in 1983, carries far less certainty.

Semenya has always been reluctant to speak with too much confidence about the global mark, though she has admitted it remains at the back of her mind as part of her long-term goals.

While there was chatter last year about the possibility of her breaking the mark, she was a full two seconds off when she won Olympic gold in Rio.

However, after working on her explosive speed during the off-season, Semenya looks fitter and stronger than ever, and if she’s going to have a crack at the record, this could be the year to give it a go.

Finally, though it may seem like a stretch, one of the most under-rated athletes in the country could add to the record-chasing hype this season if Sunette Viljoen can find the world record heave which she insists is itching to be unleashed from her consistent arm.

Barbora Spotakova’s mark of 72.28m has stood since 2008, and while Viljoen has not yet thrown over 70 metres, her African record of 69.35m is less than three metres shy of the global record.

Having overcome some troubles in her personal life, Viljoen is back to her bubbly, energetic former self, and more importantly the sparkle has returned to her eye when she talks about her performances.

An Olympic silver medallist and two-time World Championships bronze medallist, Viljoen is one of the country’s most decorated athletes, and a global record would be worthy reward for a superb career which has not always gone her way.

All these athletes have the talent to shatter the ground on which they compete, taking their disciplines to new levels.

Perhaps all they needed was for a compatriot to run a beaten path from out in lane eight on a spectacular evening in Rio, just to prove to them it was possible to reach the greatest of heights.

And even if they all fall short, an entertaining international season is on the cards as we witness them attempting such tremendous feats.