From a man who only became a full-time professional athlete a year ago, 25-year-old Adriaan Wildschutt, made an impressive debut in the final of the 10 000m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Running against the cream of middle distance runners – including eventual winner and three-time world champion and world record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda – Wildschutt finished a credible 14th in 28 minutes 21.40 seconds after hanging on to the leading pack of East Africans until four laps to go of the 25-lap race.

Wildschutt, the SA 10 000m record holder, is based in the US having attended Florida State University where he completed his MBA. He was discovered by running legend Zola Pieterse after she spotted the Ceres local running when he was at the University of the Western Cape, and brought him across to the US with his brother.

Wildschutt has already established two new South African records over the 5000m and 10 000m and looks set for great things.

“It’s a good gauge for me. Those top 10 guys are at a very high level but this is only my first year as a professional and these guys have been professional for a lot longer. God willing, I am hoping I can improve at the Olympics next year,” Wildschutt said.

Wildschutt will also compete in the 5000m. The heats for that event start on Thursday with the final on Saturday.

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