LJ van Zyl not only won the 200m hurdles in a time of 22:10s over the weekend at the GreatCity Games in Manchester, but he also equalled the world record set by Andy Turner in 2010.
Van Zyl was afterwards quite modest about his hasty performance.
“I am truly blessed to have run such a fast time. Actually, it was a privilege to have done so,” he said.
It was the second time the Pretoria athlete had won the 200m hurdles in Manchester. In 2013 he won in a time of 22:63s.
Turner is a retired English track and field athlete who specialised in the 110m hurdles. He won a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu.
“The conditions were far from perfect. It was cold and rainy, but that has sort of become the norm during the GreatCity Games,” Van Zyl said.
“I decided beforehand I was going to race hard right from the start and that was exactly what I had done. I led the race from the first to the last hurdle, sort of setting the challenge to the rest of the athletes to catch me if they can. Throughout the race I felt in total control, proving the hard work I have done over the last few weeks were paying off.”
Ray Stewart (USA) was second in at 22:85s and Felix Sanchez (Dominican Republic) was third in at 23:08s.
Van Zyl said he was inspired by Felix Sanchez’s, a two-time Olympic champion (2004 and 2012), presence in the race.
“I really admire Felix for what he had achieved in international athletics. He proved anything is possible through dedication and hard work and that is what I am striving to do.”
Irma Reyneke (coach) said Van Zyl’s performance is not a surprise to her.
“I could see during the last training sessions he was ready to run fast times. I am really proud for what he had achieved.”
LJ is not the only Van Zyl who impressed. His wife Irvette, who is 21 weeks pregnant, finished ninth in a time of 34:49 in the SPAR 10km Ladies Race in Port Elizabeth.
Asked about her husband’s fast exploits, she said: “I am so glad for LJ, but actually he has got no option but to run fast times as he has a son on the way that is going to look up to his dad.”
In spite of her pregnancy, there is no stopping her.
“I am planning to compete in the 12km race in Cape Town next weekend and then I also would like to do the SPAR Race in Durban, but I still need to discuss that with my coach, Lindsey Parry,” she concluded.
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