South African super-sprinter Wayde van Niekerk made a triumphant return to the elite athletics showcase The Diamond League after years away, leaving naysayers (and other athletes) in the dust.
Oslo, Norway (19 June, 2023) — Wayde van Niekerk’s recent comeback moment had South Africans beaming with pride. After six years, van Niekerk returned to race at the Wanda Diamond League, leaving naysayers and other athletes in the dust as he claimed first place.
“I don’t think people realize just how hard this event is both physically and mentally,” van Nie Kerk shared of his triumphant return after seasons of injury.
“You can see how long it takes me to recover so that shows I’m still not where I’m meant to be but I’m getting there,” the former Olympic super-sprinter added.
Dominating in the 400m sprint, van Niekerk soared in with a time of 44.38, overtaking Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga and the USA’s Vernon Norwood who many deemed the competition to watch.
However, a resilient van Niekerk gave his all to stamp his return to the runners’ prestigious showcase in gold; an applause-worthy and heartwarming moment for the athlete who once thought he’d never get back on the track.
Van Niekerk endured a terrible ‘freak injury’ at the end of 2017 during a tag rugby game for charity, tearing a ligament and meniscus cartilage which put his athletics pursuits on ice just a year after his Olympic gold glory during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Seeing his return at such a prestigious level recently isn’t just a testament to his talent, but also to his determination and spirit, something he’s extended both at his recent peaks and during his pitfalls.
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