Wildschutt smashes SA 10000m record again

Competing in the annual Ten contest, which forms part of the World Athletics Continental Tour, Wildschutt finished sixth in a fast race in 26:55.54, with American athlete Grant Fisher taking the win in 26:52.04

WIldschutt, 25, from Ceres in the Western  Cape, became the first South African athlete to break the 27 minute barrier, taking more than 27 seconds off the national mark of 27:23.10 which he set in California in May last year.

In the process, the former Brimstone Itheko Athletic Club athlete, secured automatic qualification for the Olympic Games by achieving the required standard of 27:00.00.

Having set a national 5 000m short track record of 12:56.76 in Boston in January, Wildschutt has now booked his place in the 5 000m and 10 000m events at the Paris Games in August.

An elated Wildschutt described the feeling of smashing his SA record and achieving the Olympic qualifying standard as “surreal”.

“Yes, it’s kind of surreal!” said Wildschutt in an interview with FloTrack.

“Right now I really don’t realise how fast I just ran. Looking back at it in weeks to come I will probably realise that it was actually really impressive.

“Improving the South African record by more than 20 seconds is a lot. It means a lot to me because the South African record was only 27:28 a year ago until I bettered it to 27:23 and now it’s under 27 minutes. I  am very happy to reach the standard. I know it will mean a lot to South Africans and people that look up to me.

“It’s still so surreal while I’m talking I’m thinking about it, it’s so crazy. I have to be honest, a year ago thinking of breaking 27 minutes was not possible in my mind. I have improved a lot over the last year and will continue to work on my closing speed.

“I want to continue to improve not just at these types of races, but I also want to compete at the moments when it really matters like the Olympics and the bigger events.

“I’m really grateful because it means a lot to me and I know my family is proud of me and I know my late dad is proud of me as well. I will continue to do that for my family and my fans and everybody. So yes, I’m very happy,” he added.