Michael Johnson's Reaction LIVE - Niekerk's 43.03s breaks Johnson's 43.18s WR at 400m Rio 2016

South African Wayde van Niekerk chopped 15 hundredths of a second off Michael Johnson’s 400m record, set in 1999, en route to a dominating gold medal performance in Rio.
Van Niekerk did it from Lane 8; no runner has ever won a championship in the 400m from that lane !
Here’s how Michael Johnson reacted to his record being broken live on BBC

[@carsongambaro]

Why do I have a feeling that KZbin just let this video back onto the internet

[@meee_5155]

Because it’s true

[@matthewkaram9615]

Ye

[@jesmesHD94]

I’m assuming the copyright was lifted

[@Dontbelieve.thehype]

KZbin deletes and withholds alooooooot of videos

[@Roberto7537]

​@@Dontbelieve.thehypeÉ una vergogna!!

[@peterd1623]

Imagine running 43.7 and getting absolutely dusted

[@davidb5711]

This is not Johnson’s whole reaction. I heard his reaction at the moment Van Niekerk crossed the line. He said, “It’s a new world record!!” and went on, without any self reference. So professional.

[@paulgerardhosty9909]

We’re so lucky to have Michael Johnson commentating, on the BBC, for the World Athletics Championships 2023. He’s so wise when it comes to both the technical side of the track, sprint, events as well as showing how each athlete is an individual that needs to be treated as such. He must be an amazing coach. 😊

[@timothyblake9213]

He is also so generous when his own world records are being broken - as here, and when Bolt broke his 200m record. @@paulgerardhosty9909

[@paulgerardhosty9909]

Yes, Michael oozes class. You know how they rate boxers when they say ‘pound for pound he’s the best boxer in the world’?! Well, ‘pound for pound’, Michael has to be one of my all-time favourite athletes, as much as what he has contributed off the track as on it. With reference to Wayde, I’m so gutted that he got hurt like that, tearing his ACL, as he probably (we’ll never know) would have bettered his World Record by another 1/10 of a second, and dipped below 43. You know, it’s like as if Usain Bolt never got to beat his first World Record in the 100 m due to a serious injury. I know he played football for charity but you hope that other athletes would find safer ways to give back rather than endangering themselves in that fashion. I’m so gutted for him. But, then again, no one can ever take away that incredible moment in 2016, and the Olympic gold medal, from Wayde. I never tire of watching it and I always get emotional as he crosses the line. And, as he should, he gives glory to God for the gift he’s been given.

[@simoncooper8520]

400 metres world record split times Van Niekerk ran the opening 200 metres in 20.5 seconds and the closing 200 metres in 22.5 seconds, giving a differential of 2.0 seconds. The 100-metre-long-section beginning after the first 100 metres was completed in 9.8 seconds. JUST ABSOLUTELY AWESOME

[@jamesbond-lb7se]

"He beat the best the history had to offer" everytime I hear this gives me goosebumps.

[@gezzarandom]

1992: Kevin Young 400 hurdles WR 1996: Michael Johnson’s 200/400 double and 200m WR 2000: Cathy Freeman 400m gold 2004: Hicham El Guerrouj and Kelly Holmes ending their careers with double gold 2008: Usain Bolt’s 100/200m world records 2012: David Rudisha 800m WR 2016: This moment 2020: Karsten Warholm 400h WR

[@sreejeshnath1905]

Sydney McLaughlin 400 hurdles WR Armand duplantis pole vault WR Tobi amusan 100m hudrills WR Yulimar rojas triple jump WR

[@angeloarisi2979]

Bolt records are 2009

[@colinduilhe3390]

@@angeloarisi2979 he did it first in 2008 and then did it again in 2009

[@gezzarandom]

I wasn’t clear in my post, the list was my personal highlights from past Olympics.

[@carolinehirst4921]

Seb Coe defending his 1500 m title in 1984 when he had had 3 years of illness and injury and he destroyed Steve Cram in the final straight. And Daley Thompson gold in 1984 decathlon. Unbeatable.

[@Briancrobinsonspeaks]

Notice 2012 Gold medalist Kirani James as the first guy to hug Wayde - and Kirani hugging and exchanging handshakes with all the runners in the background. First class.

[@thegee001ify]

If only mj and Wayde were around the same time. They would have pushed each other to 42.9...42.8 maybe. Barring injuries.

[@zyryx1793]

Bruh at first i was like "What do you mean michael jordan and dwayne wayde 42.9 42.8???" then i realised

[@rammerchandy1712]

@@zyryx1793 yeah same lmao

[@efthymiosn3381]

mj was caught doping

[@carolinehirst4921]

It rarely happens. Coe and Ovett never got to do it enought due to injuries and illness.

[@gmaxsfoodfitness3035]

@@zyryx1793 Well Dwyane's last name is spelt "Wade" not "Wayde" so there shouldn't have been much confusion.

[@ryangardner6804]

Michael Johnson is such a good commentator

[@RedDiamondXYZ]

These athletes hugging and embracing eachother after the race is true display of Sportsmanship and pure feelings and respect 😍🥰

[@Camouflageable]

It could also be because WVN broke two decades old WR with an incredible margin too

[@fatoomgierdien110]

Phenomenal Wayde van Niekerk!! Brilliant!! And, we Allllll love you. Cape Town

[@greekterr0ru-i13]

The algorithm just woke up on this

[@gtrdoc911]

He'll never reach that level again but it's one of the greatest World records around. Don't think it's going to be broken any time soon.

[@emilstorgaard9642]

It's unlikely he will, but nothing is impossible

[@liambray7286]

the only person that maybe could would be michael norman

[@TwangledRektAngle]

@@liambray7286 Or maybe dos Santos

[@adiscipleoftheking4322]

Well it took 17 years for Johnson’s 400m World record to be broken 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@SteelM4chine]

With new shoes.. who knows ...

[@MarMaxGaming]

What an insane moment, honestly.

[@vimalapavankumaryelugula8880]

Unbelievable player unforgettable player you are ageless price less

[@sebby1989]

Why do some Athletes look so chill when they break the WORLD record?? Wayde, and Sydney from the womens 400m hurdles are examples!

[@rileyoakley7196]

Smooth and relaxed usually equals running fast, still crazy how they aren’t dying after

[@sebby1989]

@@rileyoakley7196 yes and they dont look elated either which slightly shocks me

[@emilstorgaard9642]

Wayde was dead after this race lol. Rightfully so

[@jourdansarpy4935]

The guys on the ground laying there are doing that more for emotional reasons than physical ones. The race lasted under 45 seconds. These guys are in ridiculous shape. Way more shape than going all out for less than a minute.

[@noelmadden1920]

PEDs!

[@finlayross422]

KZbin has literally just reposted this vid. Goats

[@user-dm2hr3qk9l]

I hope he could make a proper comeback at the next olympics or world champs.

[@ccsccs6212]

Well Done south African coloured ! U di it

[@lingarajmishra8981]

I wish I could become even an iota like him 🙏🙏🙏

[@MrJesseRG]

Whats incredible is this raced produced 3 sub 44 times! Thats one of the fastest groups in many many years.

[@brucebanner9911]

In lane 8...still hard to believe

[@MrBullboy23]

Cheer up wayde

[@sammbaldwin6402]

Can't see this being beaten for a long time the 100 and 800 could stand for a long time too

[@DavidJohnson-yq4nz]

Michael Johnson is a green icon

[@simoncooper8520]

This guy has had a terrible knee injury and hasn't had much competition until the world championships. He's capable of going sub 43.5 but he's nearly 30 now and I don't see him running faster. A great humble guy but injuries take their toll

[@vandelay.costanza]

What do you have to say now?

[@magicmulder]

Johnson’s records seemed superhuman until Bolt and van de Niekerk came along.

[@aaronb2779]

They still do when you bare in mind he was running those times 25 years ago.

[@MrBimirud]

@@aaronb2779 yes, MJ’s 200 time still the fourth-fastest ever. 400 time second-fastest ever.

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

If Johnson was chasing bolts record he probably would’ve beaten bolt.

[@magicmulder]

@@TheJohnCooperShow I doubt it. They both would've pushed one another equally and Bolt likely had another 1 or 2 tenths in him, given his 100m times and how he concentrated on that one.

[@emilstorgaard9642]

19.32 and 43.18 are still insanely fast times

[@Unknown-uh6du]

why are all comments 2 days old

[@paulgerardhosty9909]

Interestingly, he had to go to the southern hemisphere to do it. Aaaah 😅 I remember Michael saying that Wayde was destined to break 43 seconds, but it’s such a tragedy that injury befell him. But someone else will come along and do it, Wayde has shown that it can be done.

[@SilencedButNotForgotten]

I feel so bad for him... That injury killed his entire career...

[@nkosinathindlovu3059]

This didn't age well

[@19Kamau79]

He's done his greatest lap, thought we shouldn't feel bad as he's part of history with his incredible world record.

[@frederickstudenheimer3378]

wow

[@APBCTechnique]

This record won’t be beaten for 50+ years. The person to break this hasn’t been born yet.

[@jasonlommen4769]

Yes, thank you! People don’t realize how incredible 43.03 actually is. It’s a monster record.

[@hansdekorver7365]

We just need a new hero. Who knows , he may have already been born.

[@leojurado18]

I thought it said Michael Jackson for a second

[@chris5240]

HEE HEE!

[@lunarsabbatical7906]

No Michael Jordan

[@GammaFZ]

never knew michael johnson was scottish

[@Lofi.2760]

Who seeing this video in 2022?

[@lingarajmishra8981]

He is the god of the one lap race

[@notyoureverydaycultist2579]

🇿🇦

[@jesuaguilarlpz9582]

Si ponen en cámara lenta. Y detenien el cronómetro. ,ISO menos de 43 segundos. 42 .9....

[@jayanthravindran2994]

just 0.03 seconds off 43...man that would have been something really cool..if he could just have musted an extra boost at some point. But i guess this was unbelievable too

[@piffpete420]

Put Johnson at his prime in modern shoes and fast tracks see what times he puts up

[@pmdal]

The doping Boy?

[@APBCTechnique]

@@pmdal never 👎

[@artisticskillz01]

Dude could've gone under under 43.

[@thomasdematteo2281]

I am not sure how Johnson was deprived of going under 43

[@reneclayton5421]

This is clearly a late response but yeah OR means Olympic Record

[@cubosomes8336]

30k views zero comments

[@tonydiaz2541]

Unfortunately, the Bob Beamon of the 400.

[@esgee3829]

the father of mabel and olive on the live call is more amazing to me

[@mrandrewcotter]

Hahahaha....

[@apolokabali7595]

Hey old shit is better than no shit.

[@thomasdematteo2281]

Johnson was wrong about the negative splits

[@Mirpuria]

He still can't lace Michael Johnson's shoes!

[@KienTrinh-oh1kd]

Buon mile veuit tao hoi b kho Khooi tranng

[@sultanniazi2394]

Injuries. Sad need to his career

[@jbird1777]

It sucks he'll never go under 43. Someone else will in 50 years.

[@ajvindiesel8517]

There won't be sport in 50 years time because it's 'competition' and will be deemed hurting one self esteem and not good for mindfulness.

[@malonchirara813]

it really sucks,, i made the sad acceptance that he is past his prime now

[@jeanpierreagostiniderisi-sy3tb]

The Wayne Van Niekerk I was died forever. The Michael Johnson I was died forever. The Leg Break I was died forever.

[@rogemillecastillo3183]

Click bait.....

[@seesidesummerhouse6112]

There’s something quite suspect about this record.. dude came out of nowhere breaking the SA record, then took a further 1.4 seconds off in less than two years for the world record. 1.5 years or so later he vanished. I think he’s back now, but nowhere near that same level.

[@Paul.Morgan]

Injuries.

[@Shemzinho]

Nah he tore his ACL and he's never been the same since

[@saturn7835]

And he pushes himself too much. He went to hospital right after winning 2015 world champs finals

[@andrewood]

I hate the arrogance that you think human beings have never run as fast in all of human history

[@msp5138]

PEDs are an amazing thing...

[@MrBimirud]

Ya but the guy only beat MJ’s record by 16-hundredths of a second.

[@JackOfBlades8642]

Has he failed an actual drugs test?

[@LB_die_Kaapie]

​@I Identify As A Fried Egg Jellyfish no

[@LB_die_Kaapie]

Jealousy makes you nasty

[@polochbabaaient2223]

He acts weird

[@melmel8745]

Ok

[@reginaldhampton3451]

But hasn't done anything since.

[@das7382]

300m WR in 2017

[@conradbrolykke8651]

literally bc he snapped his knee in 2017 and has been recovering lmao

[@berrianproductions]

Bad injury in 2017 but literally debuted his season this week with a 44.5 so think again. This man is true legend

[@shanelawson5072]

I'd retire on World Championship Gold, Olympic Gold & World Record...

[@paolocordon]

@@shanelawson5072 people who are great and the best at what they do usually want more