Antonie Matthys Nortje (born 2 February 2002) is a South African sprinter who specializes in the 400 metres.

Antonie Matthys Nortje
Personal information
National teamSouth Africa
Born (2002-02-02) February 2, 2002 (age 22)
South Africa
Height192 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight90 kg (198 lb)
Sport
CountrySouth Africa
SportAthletics
EventSprint
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)200m: 20.67 (Boulder, 2024)
400m: 45.05 (Boulder, 2024)
Medal record
World Relays
Silver medal – second place 2024 Nassau 4×400 m relay
World U20 Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Nairobi 400 m

Early life

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Born in Pretoria, South Africa. He grew up in the small town of Bronkhorstspruit after which attending Hoërskool Garsfontein for his high school education, where he developed a passion for athletics. He was a member of Athletics - Gauteng North.[1] He moved to the United States and attended both University of Texas at Austin and University of California, Los Angeles.[2]

Career

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He was the bronze medallist over 400 metres at the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2021 in Nairobi.[3][4]

At the final PAC-12 Championship, Antonie placed second overall, securing podium finishes in the 200m, 4×100m, and 4×400m events. His performance qualified him for the West Regionals, where he won both his Preliminary and Quarterfinal races, advancing to the 2024 NCAA Championships. At the NCAA Championships, Antonie earned All-American honors by placing third in his Semi-Final.

He ran as part of the South African 4x400m relay team at the 2024 World Relays Championships in Nassau, Bahamas.[5] He ran the third leg in the final as the South African team won silver and guaranteed a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics.[6][7]

In June 2024, he was selected for the South African team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Venter, Koos (21 August 2021). "Local athletes excel at u.20 world championships". Citizen.co.za. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Antonie Nortje 1st Place Men's Collegiate/Open 400m Section 8 and 3rd Place Collegiate/Open 200m Section 9 - Mt. SAC Relays 2023". Runnerspace. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  3. ^ "SA claim 4 more medals at U20 World Champs". Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  4. ^ Philémon (21 August 2021). "Athletics - World U20: Africa takes all the medals in the 200m". Sport News Africa. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  5. ^ "4X400 METRES RELAY". World Athletics. 5 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  6. ^ "South African sprinters finish strong in world relays to qualify for Olympics". stjohnshoponhopoff.ca. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Perfect Pillay earns silver to secure Wayde's first medal in seven years". Businesslive.co.za. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  8. ^ "More SA athletes for Paris Olympics announced". SuperSport. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.