Two of the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) top athletics sprinters, Lythe Pillay and Udeme Okon, helped put South Africa on the world stage by winning a bronze medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The duo were part of the Men’s 4x400m Relay team, which delivered a thrilling performance in a closely contested final on Sunday, 21 September.

Pillay, a student-athlete with the UJ Athletics Club, and Okon, a club member coached by UJ’s own Lyle Wentzel, played a pivotal role in the team’s success. The South African team, also featuring Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk and Zakithi Nene, ran a blistering race on a rain-soaked track at Japan National Stadium.

After running the fastest time in the qualifying heats, the team delivered another stellar performance to secure a podium finish. This bronze medal is a monumental achievement, marking the first time in eight years that South Africa has earned a medal at the World Championships.

In a dramatic final, the top three teams crossed the finish line in a photo finish. Botswana made history by becoming the first African nation to win a gold medal in the event, with the United States taking silver. UJ is immensely proud of Pillay and Okon for their contribution to this historic achievement for South African athletics.

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