Wayde's Winning Ways to World Record.

Wayde Van Neikerk left "everything in God's hands" as he blasted away from lane eight, to open a substantial lead on the field. 

" My strategy? -  … actually I don't know what my strategy was," said the emotional South African, who the previous night had dismissed all concerns about starting in the outside lane 

" We all run 400 metres so it doesn't concern me."

What ever and/or who ever was in charge of his tactics, they brought major success, as the current World Champion recorded an amazing 43.03 second World Record, for the Olympic Gold Medal.

He slashed 0.15 seconds off Michael Johnson's 1999 record, and 0.46 from Johnson's 1996 Atlanta Olympic record.

When asked about the race, the 24 year old said "I cant really remember the race or anything about it. I was expecting people to come along side, but they never came. When I was close to the line

I looked left and there was no-one there. If I had to sum up the race I would say this - God is Great." 

Kirani James  and Lashawn Merritt earned silver and bronze for their 43.76 and 43.85 respectively, both posting season best times.

Usain Bolt, with whom Van Niekerk had spent two weeks training in Jamiaca in May, came over to congratulate him after his race, and at the 100m media conference made direct reference to the 400m r

record and how pleased he was that Wayde had broken it. 

Van Neikerk's climb to the top has been swift, courtesy of coach Anna Botha who turns 75 next month, but has motivated and supported her charge to exceptional levels: World Champion, Olympic Champion,

World Record holder a sub 20 in the 200 metres, and sub 10 in the 100.

"What more can there be? I don't know. All I know is that I want to continue and see where my God given talent can take me - after tonight I think its limitless," added Van Neikerk. 

With Bolt stating that this is his last Olympics and expected to retire after the London World Championships in 2017, it may well be that the world met the new sensation in the sport.

If Wayde was the main course of the night for South Africans, then Akani Simbine was the starter and dessert.

In the opening Semi Final of the 100m, Simbine had South Africa on the edge of their seats.

Although moving into the lead at 50m, the challenge came from Jimmy Vicaut on his inside, but he had overlooked Ivory Coast's Ben Youssef Meite in lane seven, who edged past to place second in 9.97.

Vicaut's win in 9.95 left Simbine needing confirmation that he was one of only two fastest losers. 

While Bolt cruised through with a 9.86, despite looking to left and right after 40 metres, then controlling the race to the line, only he and Andre de Grasse dipped under 10 seconds. 

It seemed an eternity until the third and last semifinal which was won by Justin Gatlin (9.94), with Yohan Blake on 10.01 in second. The moment those double figures appeared for second, the whole of South Africa 

had no interest in the third - Simbine was in the Final - and an hour wait for the Final. 

The world focused on lane six - South Africa focused on lane three. Lane six was off to a poor start, but regained his running and rewrote the history books with three consecutive Olympic Gold 100m medals.. 

A legend indeed -- Usain Bolt. But for South Africa, delight at their son running 9.94 to finish fifth. A debut Olympics a now common (for him) sub 10 second sprint, and another good guy of athletics.

Simbini took the opportunity to hail his fellow South African and room mate in the Rio Olympic Village : " I am so happy and proud for Wayde and to be able to say I am a friend of the world record holder." 

Yes indeed it was a very tasty Satisfying Sunday Simbine Sandwich on the night Wayde Won the World!