The Order of Ikhamanga in Gold

Mr Wayde van Niekerk Awarded for:

His exceptional contribution to the sporting field of track running. His performance against all odds broke standing records of international legends and brought immense national pride.

Profile of Wayde van Niekerk

Mr Wayde van Niekerk was born on 15 July 1992 in Cape Town. He attended Bellville Primary and Grey College before studying marketing at the University of the Free State.

Van Niekerk is a track and field sprinter who has brought national pride to this country. He competes in the 200 and 400 metres respectively.

He made his international debut at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Athletics, where he attained fourth position in the 200m, with a personal best time of 21.02 seconds. He also ran in the 4×100m relay heats with the national team, alongside Gideon Trotter.

His breakthrough to senior level came at the age of 18 at the 2011 South African Athletics Championships, where he won the 200m title in a new personal record of 20.57 seconds. He competed at the 2011 African Junior Athletics Championships, but did not make the final. He ran sparingly in 2012, but began to show a talent for the 400m, setting a best of 46.43 seconds.