Rhine-Ruhr, Germany – July 22, 2025
South African 400m national champion Lythe Pillay capped off Day 3 of athletics with a strong performance, claiming gold in the men’s 400m final at the 2025 FISU World University Games. Pillay clocked a season’s best of 44.84 seconds, finishing ahead of Hungary’s Patrik Enyingi, who took silver, and Italy’s Edoardo Scotti, who secured bronze.
Pillay entered the final as the pre-race favourite, following commanding wins in both the heats and semifinals earlier in the week. He won his heat comfortably on Monday and repeated the performance on Tuesday in the semifinals, securing a central lane for the final.
The 2024 South African champion delivered when it mattered most, maintaining composure throughout the race and accelerating strongly in the final 100 metres to secure his first University Games title.
His victory continued a strong run for Team South Africa, marking the second consecutive night the nation ended the athletics schedule with a gold medal in the final event of the evening.
Pillay’s win adds to South Africa’s growing medal tally in athletics, becoming the country’s second gold on the track and fourth medal overall in athletics at the Games so far. While it is still early in the competition, South Africa currently leads the athletics medal table, with no other country having secured more than two medals in track and field events to date.
Overall, Team South Africa has now collected 12 medals across all sports at the Games. With the target of surpassing the 20-medal haul from the previous edition, the team appears to be on a promising path toward achieving that goal.
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
For More South African World University Games News:
South Africa Claims Bronze in Mixed 4×100m Freestyle Relay at World University Games
Gabriella Marais Earns 100m Bronze for South Africa at World University Games
Collette Uys Claims Bronze in Women’s Shot Put at World University Games
Bayanda Walaza Claims 100m Gold for South Africa at World University Games
