Bloemfontein’s Wayde van Niekerk broke the men’s 300m national and African record in Birmingham yesterday during the fifth leg of the 2015 IAAF Diamond League.
The former Grey College learner clocked the fastest time of the season in the event by winning in a time of 31.63 seconds.
After his race Van Niekerk said he was happy with his first European outing and wants to continue improving.
"It is my first European competition and I am just trying to keep improving and I am very happy. The time is a blessing. I’ll do New York this Saturday," said the humble sprinter.
Van Niekerk added that his has high aspirations for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China later this year.
"My goal like many others is to win Gold in Beijing," Van Niekerk said.
Stephen Mokoka earned the bronze in the men’s 5000m by crossing the line in 13 minutes 20.22 seconds, while Kenya’s Thomas Longosiwa clinched the gold in a time of 13 minutes 7.26 seconds.
In the men’s long jump, South Africa’s Khotso Mokoena could only manage fifth with his leap of 8.10 m, while his compatriot Zarck Visser had to settle for a disappointing last place with a jump of 7.74m.
Britain’s Greg Rutherford earned the gold with a leap of 8.35 m.
Van Niekerk now heads to the United State when he will compete in the New York leg of the Diamond League.
