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Mbalula: Wayde van Niekerk an inspiration to the nation

The athlete on Saturday became the first man in history to run 100 metres in under 10 seconds.

South African sprinter and world 400 metre champion, Wayde van Niekerk. Picture: @WaydeDreamer via Twitter.
South African sprinter and world 400 metre champion, Wayde van Niekerk. Picture: @WaydeDreamer via Twitter.
| 1773 days ago

CAPE TOWN - Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has praised South African sprint sensation Wayde van Niekerk, saying that he's an inspiration to the nation.

On Saturday night, 23-year-old van Niekerk ran 9.98 seconds for the 100 metres at the Free State Championships in Bloemfontein, to dip below the magical 10 second barrier.

Wow!!! Truly grateful and humbled by the opportunity and talents the Lord has blessed me with Finally reaching my childhood dream of sub 10. 400m - 43.48 200m - 19.94 100m - 9.98 Truly so blessed thank you to everyone supporting me with in my career. And all that's contributed to where I am today!!!

A video posted by Wayde van Niekerk (@waydedreamer) on

That result saw him become the first man in history to run sub 10 seconds for the 100 metre race, sub 20 seconds for the 200 metre race and sub 44 seconds for the 400 metre race.

Mbalula says van Niekerk's achievement is a great South African story.

"One can only be inspired by people like him; he's a good role model and above all is a great South African. [He] being Sports Star of the Year at the Sports Awards now says it all."

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