Lythening-fast Pillay powers SA to World Relays silver
His 42.66 seconds split is the fastest ever recorded in a 4x400m relay history.
In-form 400m national champion Lythe Pillay delivered a blistering performance to help South Africa’s men’s 4x400m team claim silver at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana on May 3.
Fresh off a scorching 300m personal best at the SuperSport Simbine Classic just five days earlier, the Brentwood Park resident produced a sensational 42.66-second split on the second leg – the fastest ever recorded in 4x400m relay history.
Though it marked a step down from their gold medal at last year’s championships in Guangzhou, Pillay and his teammates showed grit and class, clocking a new national record of 2:55.07 to secure second place behind the hosts.
Having competed in the mixed 4x400m relay on May 2, Pillay initially sat out the men’s heats but was drafted into the final in place of world U20 400m champion Udeme Okon – a tactical switch that paid off handsomely.
South Africa reshuffled their line-up for the final, with Mthi Mthimkhulu moving to the opening leg and Pillay slotted into second.
Mthimkhulu handed over in second place behind Botswana’s Lee Eppie, who gave the hosts an early edge with a sharp 44.26 leg before passing the baton to Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo.
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Tebogo surged down the back straight, but a composed and powerful Pillay reeled him in, edging the Olympic star’s 43.50 split with a stunning 42.66 to swing momentum South Africa’s way.
Pillay handed over in the lead to teenager Leendert Koekemoer, but Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori responded strongly to reclaim the advantage heading into the final leg.
The anchor leg delivered a dramatic finish as world 400m champion Collen Kebinatshipi drew level with South Africa’s Zakithi Nene and Australia’s Aidan Murphy with 200m to go. The trio ran stride-for-stride before Kebinatshipi kicked clear in the home straight to seal victory.
Botswana stormed to gold in a championship record 2:54.47, with South Africa taking silver and Australia completing the podium in 2:55.70.
Earlier, South Africa’s men’s 4x100m team also claimed silver, with Akani Simbine anchoring the quartet to an African record 37.49, finishing behind the United States.
The mixed 4x400m team added to the country’s success by booking their place at next year’s World Championships in Beijing.
Meanwhile, a youthful women’s 4x400m team – missing key athletes including Shirley Nekhubvi, Zeney van der Walt and Marinda Coetzee – finished third in their heat in 3:27.78.
The women’s 4x100m team impressed with a national record 43.22 on day one, before placing fourth in the repechage after a spirited showing in the final.
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