Taking on his last race on domestic soil this season, 400m world record holder and Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk did not disappoint on Saturday night when he won the men’s 200m final on the third and final day of the SA champs in Tshwane.
Running in cold conditions, Van Niekerk completed the half-lap final in 20.38 seconds, coasting home well clear of the rest of the field with national U20 champion Benjamin Richards grabbing the silver medal in 20.77.
Of his performance, Van Niekerk says: “[It] was just about getting the win and feeling what it’s like to win again at championship level.
“Now I can use this momentum going forward. Training is going well and I’m feeling confident in myself.”
Akani Simbine, meanwhile, clocked 9.99 seconds to take the gold medal in Pretoria, closely followed by his Gauteng North provincial teammate Gift Leotlela, who grabbed the silver in 10.16.