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Home News Napoli 2019 medalist Van Wyk a prospect for the future of South African sprints

Napoli 2019 medalist Van Wyk a prospect for the future of South African sprints

Summer Games 26 July 2019

Chederick van Wyk (left) on the men’s 200m podium during the Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade. Paulo Camilo of Brazil (centre) won in personal best 20.28, with Marcus Lawler of Ireland taking bronze.

Chederick van Wyk bagged two silver medals in the 100m and 200m respectively at the 30th Summer Universiade in Napoli, Italy proving that he is a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.

 

The 24-year-old who is currently studying a Bachelor of Education at North West University (NWU) started athletics at the tender age of eight years old. He thanks the Lord for blessing him with such immense talent further stating; “I enjoy what I do win or lose.”

 

Earlier this year, an outstanding performance by Captain Chederick van Wyk and his team ensured that NWU walked away with the spoils to claim the 2019 Varsity Athletics title. The sprinter fought hard in the 200m narrowly coming in second place but blitzed to victory in the 100m final in a time of 10.23.

 

The Prieska-born sprinter took part in his first major tournament in May this year, at the IAAF World Relays in Yokohama where he won silver in the men’s 4x200m relay by breaking the African Record with a time of 1:20.42 alongside teammates Akani Simbine, Simon Magakwe and Sinesipho Dambile.

 

After competing at the Confederation of University and College Sports Association (CUCSA) Games last year in June and being successful in his events (100m, 200m and 4x100m relay) Van Wyk was afforded the opportunity to represent South Africa at a university sports level yet again.

“This was my first Summer Universiade and for me the competition was a real stepping stone for my career and future, I have gained confidence in my abilities and this is one of the biggest individual achievements in my career so far. I am very excited about my future,” said the rising sprint star.

 

Van Wyk became a double silver medallist at the Napoli Summer Universiade when he ran a personal best time in the 200m final clocking 20.44 after claiming silver in the 100m (10.23) earlier in the track and field competition.

 Van Wyk and his 4x100m teammates celebrate victory at the CUCSA Games last year. Following Van Wyk’s performance in the 100m and 200m, he earned the right to represent South Africa at his first Summer Universiade in Napoli

“My parents work very hard to help me where they can and that is why I work harder to show them what their support means to me,” added van Wyk. He cites his biggest goal as becoming an Olympic gold medallist and one day being the world’s greatest sprinter (100m and 200m).

 

The South African draws inspiration from fellow athletes, “Akani Simbine, Wayde van Niekerk, Simon Magakwe, Thando Dlodlo, Luxolo Adams, Thando Roto, Henricho Bruintjies and many more. All of the people I have mentioned work very hard to remain in top form and most of them are running on the big stage so it motivates me as an up-and-comer to work as hard if not harder so that I also achieve what they have done in their careers.

 It’s aways better with teammates. Van Wyk at the finish of the CUSCA Games. He also went on to win silver at the IAAF World Relays in Yokohama in the men’s 4x200m relay, helping set the African Record in the process

“It is a big honour to represent your country, doesn’t matter which level. It feels even better when you win a race because you see the results of all the hard work you put in from training,” noted the 24-year-old. The track season isn’t over just yet for van Wyk as his next stop is the 12th Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco from the 19-31 August where he hopes to secure more medals in the famous green and gold. Keep an eye out for the name Chederick van Wyk because the track ahead of him is a bright one!