Wayde van Niekerk is back on track, competing at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after a serious injury derailed his career.

What happened to Wayde van Niekerk?

The 33-year-old South African athlete suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2017, forcing him into years of rehabilitation.
He dropped his signature 400m event to focus on the 200m, making a comeback at last year's Paris Olympics, reaching the semi-finals.

Why the switch to 200m?

Van Niekerk said his decision to drop the 400m and focus on the 200m had given him a new lease of life, allowing him to find improvement and growth.
He cruised through his 200m world championships heat in 20.19sec in Tokyo, showing promising form.

What's next for Wayde van Niekerk?

Van Niekerk is refusing to look past the world championships in Tokyo, with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics looming, taking it one race at a time.
He ran 20.07sec in Budapest last month, his best time in eight years and his seventh-fastest run ever.
Van Niekerk's mark of 43.03sec in the 400m still stands almost a decade later, a testament to his enduring talent.
The fact that he's walking away from events healthy and in good spirits is more important to him at this moment.
Van Niekerk is a cousin of twice World Cup-winning South African rugby player Cheslin Kolbe, and the pair represented their country at the Rio Olympics.
He finds inspiration from many people on a daily basis, including his family, who are performing well and competing well.
Van Niekerk had a second child, a boy, earlier this year with his wife, and is grateful to be representing his country and giving his son exposure to what he does.
"I think there's a lot of regulating the nerves and a bit of a mental-centring myself, but it's been going well so far," Van Niekerk said.
"At the moment the semis is the next vision for me," he added, focusing on the immediate goal.
Van Niekerk's journey is an inspiring one, showing that with hard work and determination, athletes can overcome adversity and achieve greatness.
His performance in Tokyo will be closely watched, as he aims to make a strong impression on the world stage.
With his talent and experience, Van Niekerk is a force to be reckoned with in the world of track and field athletics.
As he continues to compete at the highest level, fans around the world will be cheering him on, eager to see what he can achieve.
Van Niekerk's story is one of perseverance and dedication, a true inspiration to athletes and fans alike.
He is a shining example of what can be achieved with hard work and a never-give-up attitude.
And as he takes to the track in Tokyo, Van Niekerk is ready to give it his all, leaving everything on the track.
But for now, he's just taking it one race at a time, focusing on the semis and the immediate goal.
So the world will be watching as Van Niekerk competes in Tokyo, eager to see what the future holds for this talented athlete.
Van Niekerk's time of 20.19sec in the 200m heat is a promising start, and he will be looking to build on this performance.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, Van Niekerk is focused on the present, taking it one step at a time.
His experience and talent make him a strong contender, and he will be looking to make a strong impression in Tokyo.
Van Niekerk's journey to the top has not been easy, but he has shown that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
He is an inspiration to athletes and fans around the world, and his performance in Tokyo will be closely watched.
Van Niekerk's focus on the 200m event has given him a new lease of life, and he is eager to see what the future holds.
As he competes in Tokyo, Van Niekerk is ready to give it his all, and the world will be watching.