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Wayde van Niekerk decided to leave his training base in Florida, USA to return to South Africa after the 2004 Olympic games.
Reigning 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk has opened up about his decision to walk away from Noah Lyles’ elite training group in the U.S. and return to his roots in South Africa — a move motivated by both family and a desire for personal peace.
The 32-year-old made his 2025 season debut at the Atlanta City Games on Saturday (17 May), clocking 20.03 in the men’s 200m straight-track race to finish third behind Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (19.55) and Trinidad & Tobago’s Jereem Richards (19.63).
Though it wasn’t a personal best, it marked a significant step forward for Van Niekerk, who has endured a long and frustrating road since suffering a devastating knee injury in late 2017 — just after defending his 400m world title and a year after winning Olympic gold in Rio with a world record time of 43.03 seconds.
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17:57 - 18.05.2025
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Speaking after the race, Van Niekerk described the moment as more than just a return to competition.
“I must admit, it’s such a blessing to finish a race,” he said. “It’s been extremely frustrating the last few years just to get over the finish line. So to do that today is a blessing. But I can still feel a lot of work needs to be done.”
His shift back to South Africa, where he now trains in Bloemfontein under the guidance of his stepfather Steven Swarts, follows a four-year stint in Claremont, Florida, where he was part of Lance Brauman’s camp that included Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles.
He had joined the group in 2021 after parting ways with long-time coach Ans Botha.
But for Van Niekerk, 2025 is about more than medals — it’s about reconnecting with what matters most.
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15:30 - 16.05.2025
Mashemeji Derby, Kip Keino Classic Thrown Into Limbo as Tartan Track Laying at Nyayo Stadium Hits Major Snag
Nyayo Stadium had been closed yet again for the instalation of a new tartan track ahead of the Kip Keino Classic and the 97th Mashemeji Derby.
“My wife just gave birth three weeks ago,” he shared. “So it was very important for us to just be around family. I’ve got two boys now.”
Becoming a father for the second time has clearly had a transformative impact on the South African sprinter. “If you guys have kids, you know what a massive privilege and blessing that is. He’s my best friend — and now I’ve got another little best friend. I’m really excited.”
That family-first mindset is driving a shift in Van Niekerk’s approach, as he focuses on what he calls the true prize at this stage of his life: “My biggest goal is just health and peace. If I can get that, then I’m happy.”
While he initially planned to compete at the South African Championships earlier in the year, he pulled out to be with his growing family. The nationals saw rising stars like Sinesipho Dambile, Naeem Jack, and Karriem Abduraghman run under the World Championship qualifying standard in the 200m — signaling stiff competition for Van Niekerk’s potential return to the global stage in Tokyo later this year.
He’s expected to focus solely on the 200m this season, an event in which he hasn’t dipped below 20 seconds since 2017, when he clocked a personal best of 19.84 en route to silver at the World Championships in London.
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11:02 - 15.05.2025
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Last season, Van Niekerk showed glimpses of his old form with a 20.29 performance in Spain — his fastest 200m time in six years.
“It’s been a bit difficult,” he admitted. “But yeah, I think I’m really surprised by today’s time — it was a good race.”
With fresh motivation, renewed health, and a firm grip on his priorities, Van Niekerk is looking to turn the page on the most difficult chapter of his career.
And while the medals may still be the goal, it’s clear that peace — not podiums — now defines his pursuit.
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