Ernst van Dyk
Encyclopedia
Ernst Van Dyk is a South Africa
n wheelchair racer. He has won a record 9 wheelchair titles in the Boston Marathon
. 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. At the Beijing Olympic Ernst won gold in the hand cycling marathon as well as bronze in the wheelchair marathon. Other handcycling achievements include: Obtaining a silver and bronze medal at the 2009 UCI World Championships held in Italy and taking double gold (road race and time trial) at the 2007 UCI World Championships held in Bordeaux.
. He competed as a swimmer nationally in his teens. In 1992 he enrolled in Stellenbosch University
and competed in the Barcelona Paralympics as a swimmer and wheelchair athlete. Thereafter, he concentrated on wheelchair athletics.
His ninth win in the 2010 Boston Marathon is a record for that event in any class. On 20 April 2010 the South African government announced that van Dyk will be awarded the Order of Ikhamanga
in silver for his achievements in sport.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n wheelchair racer. He has won a record 9 wheelchair titles in the Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
. He is also the current world record holder for men's wheelchair marathon from his record-setting race in the 2004 Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
, which he completed in 1 hour, 18 minutes, 27 seconds. He was also awarded the Laureus World Sports Awards
Laureus World Sports Awards
The Laureus World Sports Awards are awarded annually to sportspeople who have been outstanding during the previous year. The Laureus World Sports Awards were established in 1999 by Founding Patrons Daimler and Richemont and is supported by its Global Partners Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen and...
for Sportsperson with a Disability of the year for 2006. At the 2000 Summer Paralympics
2000 Summer Paralympics
The 2000 Paralympic Games were held in Sydney, Australia, from 18 October to 29 October. The eleventh Summer Paralympic Games, an estimated 3800 athletes took part in the Sydney programme. They commenced with the opening ceremony on 18 October 2000...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, he won a bronze medal in the 400 metres. At the next Paralympics
2004 Summer Paralympics
The 2004 Summer Paralympics were held in Athens, Greece, from September 17 to September 28. The twelfth Paralympic Games, an estimated 4,000 athletes took part in the Athens programme, with ages ranging from 11 to 66. Paralympic events had already taken place during the 2004 Summer Olympics as...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, he won a silver medal in the 800 metre race, another silver in the 1500 metres, and a bronze in the 5000 metres. At the Beijing Olympic Ernst won gold in the hand cycling marathon as well as bronze in the wheelchair marathon. Other handcycling achievements include: Obtaining a silver and bronze medal at the 2009 UCI World Championships held in Italy and taking double gold (road race and time trial) at the 2007 UCI World Championships held in Bordeaux.
Biography
Ernst was born with congenital absence of both legs. His parents, two provincial-level athletes, recognized his athletic abilities and encouraged sports participation. At first he went to school in Graaff-Reinet, but the school couldn't cater for him. Then he attended the Elizabeth Conradie school for disabled children in KimberleyKimberley, Northern Cape
Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War...
. He competed as a swimmer nationally in his teens. In 1992 he enrolled in Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University is a public research university situated in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Other nearby universities are the University of Cape Town and University of the Western Cape....
and competed in the Barcelona Paralympics as a swimmer and wheelchair athlete. Thereafter, he concentrated on wheelchair athletics.
Major results
| Year | Boston Marathon Boston Marathon The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest... |
New York City Marathon New York City Marathon The New York City Marathon is a major annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world, with 45,103 finishers in 2010... |
Paris Marathon Paris Marathon The Paris International Marathon is an annual marathon which takes place from the Champs-Élysées heading towards the Place de la Concorde and continuing through the city to finish at Foch Avenue.... |
Los Angeles Marathon Los Angeles Marathon The Honda LA Marathon is an annual running event held each spring in Los Angeles, California. The 26.219 mile footrace, inspired by the success of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, has been contested every year since 1986... |
Great North Run Great North Run The Bupa Great North Run is the world's largest half marathon, taking place annually each September. Participants run between Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields in England. The run was devised by former Olympic 10,000 m bronze medallist and BBC Sport commentator Brendan Foster.The first Great... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 |  1:25:12 |
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| 2002 | 1:23:19 |
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| 2003 | 1:28:32 |
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| 2004 | 1:18:27 (WR) |
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| 2005 | 1:24:11 |
|
|
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| 2006 | 1:25:29 |
(CR) |
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| 2007 | 42:35 |
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| 2008 | 1:26:49 |
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| 2009 | 1:33:29 |
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| 2010 | 1:26:53 |
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| WR – World Record CR – Course record |
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His ninth win in the 2010 Boston Marathon is a record for that event in any class. On 20 April 2010 the South African government announced that van Dyk will be awarded the Order of Ikhamanga
Order of Ikhamanga
The Order of Ikhamanga is a South African honour. It was instituted on 30 November 2003 and is granted by the President of South Africa for achievements in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sports...
in silver for his achievements in sport.