South Africa Celebrates Wayde van Niekerk's World Record-Breaking Olympic Victory For the Ages

If you haven’t heard, South African sprinter Wayde van Niekerk put on one of the all-time greatest Olympic performances Sunday in Rio. Running from the unlikely outside lane of the men’s 400m event, the 24-year-old from Cape Town took home South Africa’s first gold of the Rio Games and picked up a world record in the process. Clocking in at an unimaginable 43.03-seconds, the 8th-ranked South African outran two former Olympians (it wasn’t even close) and obliterated American track-and-field great Michael Johnson’s 17-year 400m world record by .15 of a second.

“I was running blind all the way,” van Niekerk said after the race. “I thought someone was going to catch me — what’s going on, what’s going on, and it gave me motivation to keep on pushing.”

The race happened early Monday morning in van Niekerk’s home country. Many in South Africa are just waking up to the news. #WaydevanNiekerk, not surprisingly, is currently the top trend on SA Twitter, followed by #mondaymotivation, World Record and Wade. (But let’s be real, van Niekerk is the ultimate Monday motivation)

“Proudly South African” is also trending.

#WaydevanNiekerk JOU LEKKE DING!! DANKIE!!! Ah man, Monday morning never felt so inspired. Unashamedly choking up. pic.twitter.com/KmVjGJJ1dn

— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) August 15, 2016

No doubt you have made the country very proud. Thank you #WaydevanNiekerk pic.twitter.com/wWhfk3JhxC

— Makopo (@MakopoK) August 15, 2016

"How far are you?"

"400m away"

"How long will it take you to get here"

"I'll be there in no time"#WaydevanNiekerk pic.twitter.com/a7xuR1wPHf

— Gotham ♘ Mr Wet-work (@Klumsayz) August 15, 2016

Congratulations #WaydevanNiekerk for winning a gold medal & setting a new world record in #Rio2016 Great role model pic.twitter.com/kBraC3zx7T

— Adv Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 15, 2016

Each and every South African should celebrate this moment. #WadeVanNiekerk #WaydevanNiekerk pic.twitter.com/5HTJZnzSps

— IG: Tshemedi Ⓜ️ (@RealTshemedi) August 15, 2016

I have been asking about the scarcity of female coaches. Well done to you too Anne Botha! #WaydevanNiekerk pic.twitter.com/E0XTDJlyVn

— Lumos Maxima (@Poe_Kuri) August 15, 2016

#WaydevanNiekerk is coached by his 74yr-old grandmother... THIS is amazing! Listen to your elders, you never know... pic.twitter.com/c4KyIfYB0Q

— Jay (@Its_JayTM) August 15, 2016

Other runners might as well become astronauts with all that space that #Wayde left behind #WaydevanNiekerk pic.twitter.com/3o2sxkMeIS

— Ronald Phiri (@RonaldPhiri01) August 15, 2016

We calling in sick today, this is emergency national holiday #WaydevanNiekerk #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/tHDQlV09pX

— IG (@Tshepoo_) August 15, 2016

This moment when Wayde van Niekerk crossed the line & set a New WR will never be forgotten. #Gold #Rio2016 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/KVJE6JZteC

— Maps Maponyane (@MapsMaponyane) August 15, 2016

ok so we not talking about @WaydeDreamer twitter banner+how amazing coloured love is? kwaai let me continue to melt pic.twitter.com/MMyaWnj3RM

— sensitive (@kylaphil) August 15, 2016

To see #WaydevanNiekerk fill so many coloured people with pride is awe-inspiring. We have too few heroes & too many villains. Lets change it

— Ryan Cummings (@Pol_Sec_Analyst) August 15, 2016

It's not often you get to see a young coloured man on top of the world like this. Wayde van Niekerk is an unstoppable hero.

— bushy haired girl (@jaggedlilpen) August 15, 2016

That video of @WaydeDreamer 's run is sooooo powerful!!! God engineering!!! He looks like he's floating in the air!!! Well done papa!!! ??

— FillUpOrlandoStadium (@CassperNyovest) August 15, 2016

Congratulations to @WaydeDreamer for setting a new world record and making South Africa proud #Gold

— Firebrand (@simphiwedana) August 15, 2016

Just you vs. the clock. @WaydeDreamer you have made my year! #RSA pic.twitter.com/0GRgg73qmA

— Sibongile Mafu (@sboshmafu) August 15, 2016

What a time to be South African! You have done justice to the green and gold @WaydeDreamer @AkaniSimbine pic.twitter.com/8EBtVfqMoR

— Geraldine Pillay (@sportypillay) August 15, 2016

Can someone please tell me now when the parade will be for Wayde van Niekerk in Azania. I have confetti for days.

— Ambassador Gaspard (@patrickgaspard) August 15, 2016