The United States-based athlete outclassed the international line-up in the B-race at the Night of Athletics, a World Athletics Continental Tour meeting in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium in a blistering time of 13:02.46.
South African athlete Adrian Wildschutt. Picture: Jan Figueroa/@CitiusMag.
JOHANNESBURG – South African athlete, Adrian Wildschutt, broke the 7-year-old SA 5,000m record, clocking 13:02.46 in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium just months after breaking the 24-year-old SA 10,000m record.
“Very happy with my 5,000m race in Leuven, Belgium last night! I was able to run a PR of 13:02, qualifying for the World Champs and the Olympic Games in Paris next year. I also broke the South African record,” posted Wildschutt on Instagram.
The United States-based athlete outclassed the international line-up in the B-race at the Night of Athletics, a World Athletics Continental Tour meeting in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.
“He cements his place in the World Athletics Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics,” said Athletics South Africa in a statement.
READ: Hard work paying off for SA 10,000m record holder Adrian Wildschutt
He finished comfortably ahead of second-placed American athlete, Olin Hacker, who clocked 13:09.94.
“Adrian has done well and clearly remains focused on his goals having conquered the 10,000 event where he holds the current national record,” said president of Athletics South Africa, James Moloi.
The athlete, born in Ceres in the Western Cape, followed his brother, Nadeel Wildschutt, to Coastal Carolina University, where they’re coached by fellow South African, Zola (Budd) Pieterse.
“On behalf of the board and athletics family, I congratulate him with his coach and his support team. Hard work still awaits him and all athletes to challenge the East and Central Africans who are dominating these two events on the global stage,” said Moloi.
The athlete, who finished fifth at the Commonwealth Games and currently ranks 17th in the world, hopes to move up the ranks into the top 10.
WEEKEND RECAP:
Abby Nichols- 4:08.13 (PB), 4:07.47 (another PB, team record)
Katie Wasserman- 4:08.40 (PB), 4:08.98
Olin Hacker- 13:09.94 (PB)
Adrian Wildschutt- 13:02.46 (PB, team record, Olympic A Standard, ???????? national record!!!)GO PRONGHORNS!! pic.twitter.com/vho5RB1EzD
‘ HOKA NAZ Elite (@NAZ_Elite) July 16, 2023
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