A stronger looking Van Zyl showed just how that work is beginning to pay off after racing to a massive PB in the 400m Men’s race at the 2^nd Yellow Pages Meeting at the LC De Villiers Stadium on the University of Pretoria Grounds on Friday 30 January. Van Zyl bulleted out of the blocks and showed the specialist 400m runners a clean pair of heals showing that he could be a world-class athlete in both the 400m flat and 400mh.

When he crossed the line with a broad smile on his face and arms upraised, the clock read 45.82sec. A massive PB. His previous fastest was 46.02sec which he ran in Shanghai in 2008.

“If I want to race under 48seconds, then I need to do the speed work,” said a grinning Van Zyl after the race. “Angelo Taylor, Kerron Clement and Bershawn Jackson they all are very good 400m runners as well and if I want to compete with them then I need to get faster.”

For the record Angelo Taylor the Olympic Champion in the 400mh has a 44.05sec PB, Jackson a 45.06sec PB and Kerron Clemont a 44.48sec PB as well as holding the indoor world record of 44.57sec for the 400m. Van Zyl is on the right track but will still need to get faster.

“This year I want the South African record. Then I know I will be getting closer to the Americans.” The record still stands behind the name of training partner and inspiration to Van Zyl, Llewellyn Herbert who clocked 47.81sec to win Olympic Bronze in 2000 in Sydney.

Watch this space. Van Zyl is on the move.