Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa competes during the final of men's 400m at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 14, 2016. Wayde van Niekerk won the gold medal. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk smashed the world record as he clinched the gold medal in the men's 400m at the Rio Olympics on Sunday.

The 24-year-old finished in 43.03 seconds, beating the previous record held by Michael Johnson of the US by 15 hundredths of a second.

Grenada's Kirani James grabbed silver in 43.76 seconds with the USA's Lashawn Merritt taking bronze in 43.85.

Johnson's mark had been one of the longest standing records in athletics, having stood since August 1999.

 

Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa (top) celebrates after the final of men's 400m at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 14, 2016. Wayde van Niekerk won the gold medal. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

 

Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa (L) reacts after the final of men's 400m at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 14, 2016. Wayde van Niekerk won the gold medal. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa (1st L) competes during the final of men's 400m at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 14, 2016. Wayde van Niekerk won the gold medal. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa (L) celebrates after the final of men's 400m at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 14, 2016. Wayde van Niekerk won the gold medal. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)