New 400m champion Lythe Pillay has set his sights on the Paris Olympics after a spectacular performance at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Senior Track and Field Championships at Msunduzi Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on April 20.
Pillay clocked an explosive 44:31 seconds to win the national title and qualify for the Olympics. He also recorded the second-fastest 400m SA time after world record holder Wayde van Niekerk’s 43.03 from the Rio Olympics in 2016.
While Van Niekerk hasn’t replicated his Rio performance due to injuries and loss of form, Pillay has been on a steady rise after winning the U20 world title in Cali in 2022, and all eyes will be on him to deliver in the one-lap event in Paris.
“My plans for the Olympics are to remain healthy and consistent. I understand there will be weightier expectations going forward, but I aim to sustain and preserve myself and my body building up to the Olympics,” he said.
The 21-year-old Brentwood Park resident was at his absolute best in Pietermaritzburg.
With his idol, Van Niekerk, racing in the 200m, Pillay grabbed the opportunity with both hands and sliced off 51 seconds of his PB of 44.80 from last year’s nationals in Potchefstroom to dip below 45 seconds for the third time in the distance.
He began the competition steadily, clocking 46 seconds to win his heat. He won his semi-final with 45.2 seconds, saving the best for last to win his first national senior title.
Lining up in lane six in the final, he remained composed coming off the blocks and only launched his attack later in the race.
Coming off the last bend, local boy Zakithi Nene was slightly ahead, but Pillay came charging on the inside lane to take the lead on the home straight, coasting to victory in a new personal milestone of 44.31.
Nene took the silver in 44.80, and Western Province’s Gardeo Isaacs clocked 45.33 for the bronze.
“I was in complete denial at first,” he said.
“Despite knowing I was capable of breaking 45 seconds, I did not expect to dip below by that big a margin.”
He added, “I didn’t set a tangible goal. I aimed to execute my race plan, stick to my strengths and push myself. I knew a sub-45 would be needed to win or even podium, but I didn’t throw a time for me to chase.”
In addition to this title, the Arbor Primary alumnus is a world U20 400m champion, three-time world U20 finalist, African youth champion, three-time SA junior 400m champ and national U15 400m record holder.
He’s also an Olympian after participating in the Tokyo Olympics and was ranked 30th in the 400m at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Pillay was part of the team that helped SA to a silver medal at the World Athletics Relays Championships in the Bahamas on May 5.
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