Ernst van Dyk

Ernst Van Dyk (born, 4th April 1973) is a South African wheelchair racer. He has won more Boston Marathons than any other male wheelchair athlete, currently holding seven titles. He is also the current world record holder for men's wheelchair marathon from his record-setting race in the 2004 Boston Marathon, which he completed in 1 hour, 18 minutes, 27 seconds. He was also awarded the Laureus World Sports Awards for "Sportsperson with a Disability of the year" for 2006. At the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, he won a bronze medal in the 400 metres. At the next Paralympics in Athens, he won a silver medal in the 800 metre race, another silver in the 1500 metres, and a bronze in the 5000 metres.

Biography

Ernst was born to two provincial-level athletes with congenital absence of both legs. His parents recognized his athletic abilities and encouraged sports participation. He attended the Elizabeth Conradie school for disabled children in Kimberley. He competed as a swimmer nationally in his teens. In 1992 he erolled in Stellenbosch University and competed in the Barcelona Olympics as a swimmer and wheelchair athlete. Thereafter, he concentrated on wheelchair athletics.

Major results

References

External links

* [http://www.ernstvdyk.co.za/ Official site of Ernst Van Dyk]