'It nearly killed me'

27 August 2015 - 02:42 By David Isaacson in Beijing

New 400m world champion Wayde van Niekerk has revealed the stress of racing at the Bird's Nest Stadium this week "nearly killed me". The nerves he suffered before his explosive performance in last night's final were so bad he thought he had blown the race."Before the race I was feeling quite nervy. I always am. I was lame and very weak. I thought to myself 'I'm in trouble now because I'm stressing myself out way too much'. I said a little prayer on the track."Van Niekerk said he had decided to target reigning world champion LaShawn Merritt of the US."I tried to get with him as fast as possible and I came out of the first 100 feeling quite good about myself. The nerves were better. "But the final 50m was tough."It was so difficult because I could feel them coming up onto me, but at the same time I felt strong enough to pull it away."Just that thought, 'I'm actually busy winning', was quite overwhelming," said Van Niekerk, who crossed the line in 43.48sec.His post-race celebration on the track was brief, and once he lay down, he was unable to get up."Before I knew it they were taking me off the track and I was out of breath. It seems I'm the only one who dies after a race."He was back at his hotel after midnight to a low-key welcome, and read through his phone messages.Wayde to go!Tributes on Twitter:Jonathan Jansen: Ms World and now Mr World Champion over 400m! Oh man, I love my students! Well done, Wayde!"Ernie Els: "Congrats @Wayde Dreamer doing SA proud!"Anaso Jobodwana: "Jeeeesh @WaydeDreamer thank you for the inspiration!"Elana Meyer: "Dream run! New personal best! New SA record!"Kass Naidoo: "Wayde van Niekerk has stunned everyone by running the world's fourth- fastest time in history. So proud!"Joel Stransky: "What a run!"Ryk Neethling: "Landed in Cape Town to the great news of our new World Champion in the 400m."Johan Cronje: "Youngsters take note: You haven't given your all if they don't carry you off the track as the world champ on a stretcher."Seabelo Senatla: "I feel like we should all just stand up and take a moment to slow clap to @WaydeDreamer."..

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