Rising star Lythe Pillay will play an important role in the men’s 4x400m relay team and hopes to win a medal at the Paris Olympics.
Pillay, a former world junior champion, won his first national senior title last month in Pietermaritzburg, recording a personal best of 44.31 seconds.
This performance earned him a spot in the Olympic provisional national team, joining world record holder Wayde van Niekerk and former national champion Zakithi Nene.
“Things have happened fast, and I’m just really blessed and grateful to be in the position I’m in now,” Pillay said, the Citizen reported.
“I’m excited because things are looking quite optimistic for us at this point, and we have a lot of momentum to roll with into the Olympics. I’m just looking to remain consistent and healthy until then.”
Despite being ranked fifth in the world this year over the 400m distance, Pillay believes challenging for a podium place in his event may be a stretch.
“I feel like the winning time (at the Olympics) is going to be a sub-44, and I think it’s a bit of a stretch to expect that from myself this year,” he said.
“If I can get my body in the same shape it was in for SA Champs at the Olympics, then anything can happen.”
More importantly, Pillay will play a key role in the men’s 4x400m relay team, which is seen as a strong contender for a medal after winning silver at the World Relays championship in the Bahamas earlier this month.
“It’s an honour not just to run for myself but for my country,” he said.
“That team effort in the relays adds an extra level of excitement to everything.”
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: Lythe Pillay.
Image source: File
