Cat Dad Lythe Pillay Embraces Botswana Rivalry After Breaking Michael Johnson's Record

South African 400m champion Lythe Pillay has opened up about a few facts about himself after breaking Michael Johnson’s record in the men’s 4x400m at the World Athletics Relays Championships in Gaborone, Botswana.

Lythe Pillay ran a historic 42.66-second split, the fastest ever recorded in a 400m relay to eclipse Michael Johnson’s 42.9 seconds from the 1993 World Athletics Championships in Stuttgart.

His time helped Team South Africa secure a silver medal. The team, which also included captain Zakhithi Nene, Mthi Mthimkhulu, and Leendert Koekemoer, clocked a new national record of 2:55.07.

They finished just behind the host nation, Botswana, which claimed gold with a time of 2:54.47. Australia completed the podium, taking bronze in 2:55.20.

Both African powerhouses have now qualified for next year's World Senior Championships in China and earned prize money of $40,000 and $20,000, respectively.

Speaking after the race, Lythe Pillay shared that he enjoys taking care of his cat off the track, as he described his personality as generally relaxed and easygoing.

He also mentioned that he enjoys making light-hearted jokes, especially the kind often referred to as ‘dad jokes.’

“I’m a proud cat dad. I’m a pretty laid-back person, and I love my dad jokes. I have my quiet moments and joyful moments,” he said.

Meanwhile, despite losing their world title to their neighbours, Pillay emphasised the mutual respect between the two teams.

"As much as we have a rivalry with Botswana, it's a healthy one," Pillay stated. "Even in the corridor right before the race, the first thing we said was, 'Eish! We still have to fight each other to get that medal.' I think for us, as countries, we're actually pushing each other."

Pillay noted the recent rise of both nations in the 400m event, crediting Wayde van Niekerk for paving the way for South Africa.

"We weren't really seen as a 400m nation, neither was Botswana. Now, all of a sudden, you have two neighbours battling it out," he added. "For us, it's always a thing of, if it's not us, it's you. So I think I ran like a madman."

In a gripping final leg, Nene went head-to-head with Botswana's Collen Kebinatshipi, a repeat of their clash at last year's World Championships in Tokyo, but was narrowly edged out.