Retirement is just a word for SA’s Snyman

South African race walker Wayne Snyman has earned himself a large, cold beer.

The two-time Olympian has retired from the sport on two previous occasions but made yet another comeback to compete in the 35km race walk at the World Athletics Championships in a blisteringly hot Budapest on Thursday.

Spain’s Alvaro Martin claimed the gold medal in a national record time of 2:24:30 to add to the 20km title he took on Saturday, with Ecuador’s Brian Daniel Pintado securing the silver in 2:24:34 and Japan’s Masatora Kawano the bronze in 2:25:12.

After just 12 weeks of training and no real competition to speak of this year, Snyman finished in a creditable 21st place out of 47 starters in 2:35:13.

“I think I have unfinished business on the 35km. I wanted to finish well. I don’t think I finished that well. I think I could get a top 10 if I really get my race correct… When the guys were really pushing I was lacking that speed which I’m a bit sad about,” said the Hillcrest science teacher after the race.

“Unfortunately, I think I lacked a little bit of training. I would have liked four to six weeks more but it was good. I didn’t stop to pour water on myself this time so that’s good. I’m happy with the race.

“Retirement is nothing – it’s just a word apparently,” he added with a laugh.

Asked if this was really his last appearance at a major championship or whether he’ll hold one for the Olympic Games in Paris next year, the 38-year-old reckoned. “I retired after Tokyo, then I retired after Oregon. I’m getting good at retiring so I’m not sure.

“I’m going to have to really sit back and decide why I want to do another Olympics. I have it in my legs, I showed it here – 12 weeks of training and [almost] top-20 – I think that’s really good. Ask me again in a little while. Maybe after I retire I’ll come back again.”

Snyman is all too aware that race walking is not a sport familiar to most South Africans.

“I think people see walking and they say: ‘It’s just that old granny walk’ but it’s exceptionally tough. I think we’re the only ones that get disqualified for trying too hard which is very tough and most of the time we walk when everyone is still sleeping… it’s such a brutal sport, it’s exceptionally tough and if you want to test your limits, I think race walking is definitely that sport.”

Having pushed himself to the limit on Thursday, it was time for the 38-year-old to finally relax.

“I’m definitely going to have a beer now,” he quipped. “I’m old enough so it helps.”

The 35km race walk was the only event on the morning programme at the World Athletics Championships but there’s plenty of action to look forward to in the evening session with Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan looking to defend her world title in the women’s 100m hurdles final at 9.22pm and South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk gunning for a medal in the men’s 400m final at 9.35pm.

Also on the programme are the men’s and women’s 200m semifinals and the men’s 800m semifinals as well as the first round of the men’s 5000m.