Wayde van Niekerk vs Kirani James
Wayde van Niekerk vs Kirani James: head-to-head — careers, honours, key numbers and why the rivalry matters.
Why compare Wayde van Niekerk and Kirani James?
Kirani James is a fellow Olympic champion and has been a key rival for Van Niekerk, particularly during major international competitions. Their races often draw significant attention, showcasing the best of sprinting.
Wayde van Niekerk
Key numbers
- World Records1 (400 m)
- Olympic Medals1 Gold
- World Championships Medals2 Gold, 1 Silver
- African Championships Medals1 Gold
- Commonwealth Games Medals1 Silver
Top honours
- Olympic Gold Medal400 m at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics
- World Championships Gold Medal400 m at the 2015 Beijing World Championships
- World Championships Gold Medal400 m at the 2017 London World Championships
- World Championships Silver Medal200 m at the 2017 London World Championships
- African Championships Gold Medal400 m at the 2014 Marrakesh Championships
VS
Kirani James
Key numbers
- Olympic Gold Medals1 (2012)
- World Championships Gold Medals2 (2011, 2015)
- Personal Best (400 m)43.76 seconds
- Commonwealth Games Gold Medals1 (2014)
Top honours
- Olympic Gold Medal400 m at the 2012 London Olympics
- World Championships Gold Medal400 m at the 2011 Daegu Championships
- World Championships Gold Medal400 m at the 2015 Beijing Championships