World champion relies on family and friends

KRAAIFONTEIN-BORN Wayde van Niekerk moved to Joburg, before settling in Bloemfontein with his mother and stepfather. He is studying first-year marketing at the University of Free State (UFS).

Van Niekerk’s dad still lives in Scottsville and Wayde tries to spend as much time with his family whenever he can. And he feels fortunate he can rely on his family and friends, as well as his coach of three years, Ans Botha.

“She really is a great coach and we have a good relationship. Athletics is a full-time career so I train six days a week and the occasional Saturday morning, sometimes twice a day. Ans will adjust my training depending if I have classes or a test.

“My family, the UFS, my coach, my agent and the management team have overcome obstacles and challenges so that I don’t have to, and have taken so much weight off me ,” the championship goldmedal winner said.

And Van Niekerk knows what he has to bring to the table. “There is always room for improvement and I will never be happy with my last performance and will always see if I can do better. My strengths are that I’m goal-orientated, I work hard and have that competitive edge.”

Whether he is competing locally or internationally, Van Niekerk has adopted the right mentality, thanks to his fellow athletes.

“We understand each other and once we hit the track, our goal is to win. There is no rivalry and we respect one another and I’ve built great friendships.

“We are all going through the same process and have the same dream, wanting to achieve our best.”

That’s why Van Niekerk could mention a few athletes on his growing list of those who continue to play a role in his life.

“Caster ( Semenya) continues

to

’We understand each other and once we hit the track,

inspire me, especially how she has picked herself up and taken that momentum with her.

“There’s Anaso Jobodwana, who broke the 200m record. Khotso (Mokoena) used to be the only long jumper, but now there are a few more competing and doing well... 400m hurdler LJ van Zyl and Gideon Trotter (100m specialist). They all inspire me and I’m learning so much and their performances gives me hope.”

And it’s that admiration and camaraderie that Van Niekerk hopes Team SA will take with them to the Rio Olympics next year.

“It really is exciting to be touring with all the guys, and we are not fellow athletes, but family, too.

“As a big group, we can always encourage each other and share words of wisdom and that is good in building relationships. It will be good opportunity for all of us.”

With that said, breaking records remains on Van Niekerk’s mind.

“I’m always trying to chase records... my close friend Anaso holds the 200m record, and even my own 400m record. There are no hard feelings and I’m a firm believer in goals, so I will always do my best to try and break records, grow and do better than the last race.”

● This is an extract of an interview with Van Niekerk originally published in Weekend Argus on May 23.