Wayde van Niekerk is now the fastest DAD in the world.
The 400m world record holder’s wife Chesney gave birth to their first child, Elijah Luca van Niekerk, last Wednesday in Florida, USA, where the 2016 Olympic champion is part of a training group under renowned coach Lance Brauman.
But the 29-year-old revealed the good news only late on Monday night on social media.
The Kraaifontein-born athlete posted two pictures of him with Elijah, one with his hand on his son’s head and another where he was holding his tiny hand, with the words: “Elijah Luca van Niekerk 24/11/2021”.
The couple received well wishes from across the sports fraternity.
Cricket star Vernon Philander wrote on Twitter, “Congrats to you and the mrs… Blessings all the way”, fellow former Proteas player Ashwell Prince added, “Congrats to you and Chesney champ!” and JP Duminy wrote on Instagram: “Congrats guys.”
Congrats to you and Chesney champ! 👶 🥳![CDATA[]]>🎊![CDATA[]]>🎉
— Ashwell Prince (@ashyp_5) November 30, 2021
Congrats to you and the mrs❤ Blessings your way
— Vernon Philander (@VDP_24) November 29, 2021
Springbok rugby players Bryan Habana and Tendai Mtawarira also sent messages to the new parents and swimming champ Chad le Clos wrote, “Congrats guys”.
The Van Niekerks moved to America from Bloemfontein earlier this year so that Wayde could prepare for the Tokyo Olympics with his new coach Brauman, after opting for a fresh start following a long association with his previous coach, Ans Botha.
His departure from South Africa was delayed for a few months after awaiting clearance from the US authorities to be able to travel to Florida, and he arrived there only in May.
But his battles with injuries affected his progress, and he had to bow out of the Tokyo Olympics at the semifinal stage of the 400m event, where he finished fourth in his race.
The world record-holder, though, has been hard at work in training over the last few weeks, and is hoping for a more successful 2022, with the world championships in Eugene, Oregon, as well as the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, looming as the two major competitions.