Recovering Van Niekerk wins first race this year

Bloemfontein: Olympics and world 400m record-holder Wayde van Niekerk, who has been slowly recovering from a knee injury, won his first race this year in Bloemfontein. The 27-year-old South African finished first in a 100m race on grass in a hand-timed 10.20 seconds at an unofficial university meet. Van Niekerk came though the race unscathed in the central city as he eyes the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a chance to defend his 400m title. He smashed the Olympics and world 400m records of 43.18 set by American Michael Johnson in 1999 when he clocked 43.03 at the Rio Games four years ago. It is good to be back running and I am satisfied with my time. Thanks again to everyone who has assisted in my recovery,” said the South African. Van Niekerk damaged a knee during October 2017 while playing a celebrity touch rugby match in Cape Town. His rehabilitation included medical treatment in the United States, Qatar and South Africa, where he is coached by a grandmother Ans Botha. afp