L. J. van Zyl
Van Zyl during the 2011 World Athletics Championships | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 20 July 1985 Bloemfontein, South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 79 kg (174 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spouse | Irvette van Zyl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country | South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Event(s) | 400 metre hurdles 4 × 400m Relay | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Louis Jacobus van Zyl (born 20 July 1985), better known as L. J. van Zyl, is a retired South African athlete who competed in the 400 metre hurdles. He is the South African record holder in the event with a personal best of 47.66 seconds, which he achieved twice, three months apart. His time ranks him in the all-time top 25. He is a three-time African Champion in the event and competed for his country at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
He was the 2002 World Junior Champion over 400 m hurdles and reached the World Championships final at the age of twenty in 2005. His breakthrough into the senior ranks came in 2006 when he won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and African Championships, as well as silver medals at the IAAF World Cup and IAAF World Athletics Final. He became the All-Africa Games champion in 2007. He came fifth in the 2008 Olympic final.
He married South African long-distance runner Irvette van Blerk in 2012.