South Africa’s world 400m champion sprinter Wayde van Niekerk is in line for global honours at the Laureus World Sports Awards, it was announced on Wednesday, after he was listed among the nominees for Breakthrough of the Year.
Van Niekerk, who set a new world record of 43.03sec to win 400m gold at last year’s Rio Olympic Games, was nominated alongside Ethiopian distance runner Almaz Ayana, German Formula One driver Nico Rosberg, the Fiji national rugby sevens team, the Iceland national football side and Leicester City Football Club.
“Congratulations to Wayde on receiving further recognition for his superb 2016 season,” said Aleck Skhosana, the ASA President.
“Having already been named SA Sports Star of the Year and Anoc Male Athlete of the Rio Games, this nomination again highlights how significant his achievements were last year.
“We are tremendously proud of him and his coach Anna Botha, and we wish Wayde all the best ahead of the Laureus ceremony.”
These prestigious Awards are held annually to celebrate outstanding sportsmen and women performers the previous calendar year. – African News Agency (ANA)
