Wayde van Niekerk breaks world record to win 400m gold in Rio

South African Wayde van Niekerk won the Olympic games gold medal  and shattered Michael Johnson's 400m world record on Sunday in Rio.

Van Niekerk, the 2015 world champion, running in outside lane clocked 43.03 seconds to beat 17-year-old Michael Johnson's 400m world record by 0.15 seconds.

"I believed it was possible. I am just glad things went my way. I thank Michael Johnson for setting such a great example for us. I just did my best." Van Niekerk told reporters after the race.

Silver Medal took defending champion Kirani James of Grenada, who clocked 43.76 seconds with USA's LaShawn Merritt in third in 43.85 seconds.

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Results

POS	ATHLETE	COUNTRY	MARK
1	Wayde VAN NIEKERK	RSA	43.03	WR
2	Kirani JAMES	GRN	43.76	SB
3	LaShawn MERRITT	USA	43.85	SB
4	Machel CEDENIO	TTO	44.01	NR
5	Karabo SIBANDA	BOT	44.25	PB
6	Ali Khamis KHAMIS	BRN	44.36	NR
7	Bralon TAPLIN	GRN	44.45
8	Matthew HUDSON-SMITH	GBR	44.61