Adriaan Wildschutt returned to Paris on Friday night for the first time since his debut Olympic Games last year with the intention of using the Diamond League experience as another step towards his goal of medalling at the World Championships in September, writes MARK LEMKE.
However, the 27-year-old Olympian had contemplated withdrawing from the race after waking up “very sick” on Friday morning and didn’t threaten his personal best in the 5,000m (12min 55.02sec) which he set in March. He finished in 13:28.67 in Paris, in a race won by Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha (12:47.84) and contained an array of season bests, personal bests and national records.
“I didn’t want to give up before I even tried. It turns out, not the best decision on my end. But we learn and move on. Trust me when I say, we will be back way better and stronger,” he wrote on his social media.
That debut Olympic campaign last August saw Wildschutt feature in the fastest 10,000m in Olympic history. Thirteen of the finalists broke the previous Olympic record including Wildschutt who finished tenth in 26:50.64.
Breaking records has become habit to the Florida State University MBA graduate. Since the beginning of 2023, he has lowered the national record in the 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m a total of seven times combined. There is no sign of him relenting as he chases new personal bests in each event. Those PBs now happen to be NRs.
“It is always a nice feeling to win a race, but my focus is the time. My goal is to break South African records and continue to raise the bar. Each race has its own field and its own conditions so focusing on my time helps to keep me on track towards my goals without being hung up on one event going well or not. If I continue with my plan, I will keep seeing improvement which I hope will take me to where I want to be.”
After the 10,000m Olympic final in Paris, Wildschutt told his Instagram followers that he went into the final with the idea to compete against the best in the world. His performance however, showed that he too belongs in that category. He is now preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo with that belief.
“I have felt a mental shift since then. I can feel it in the way I prepare and train for events. I am no longer trying to just compete. I am now one of those guys looking to win medals. All my training this year is for Tokyo. I will be up against the best yet again, so I know it will not be easy, but I believe I can achieve a medal.”
The World Championships is not the final stage in Wildschutt’s history-seeking career. His focus will begin to shift towards more road races with the first being a half marathon (21km) in October.
“I have a half marathon planned for Valencia after the Worlds. I want to compete in at least one half marathon every year. The 2028 Olympics will be my last as a track runner because I want to transition to the road races for 2032.”
South Africa’s long-distance specialist loves the busy schedule he has created. He is dedicated to his training and competing and is constantly in pursuit of personal improvement. Off the track, he is based in Arizona, USA, and is currently working on his autobiography.
He is also maintaining his Airbnb located in Stellenbosch and has recently begun a business with three partners in America.
The busy lifestyle helps him keep a healthy balance between his running and his future that follows. That future is still distant. Now, the World Championships take centre stage, followed by a blend of track and road events, as well as the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. His work ethic, mindset and talent should see him continue his record-breaking habit during this time.
