A 400m dash towards gold in Budapest
Local athlete Lythe Pillay gives us the rundown on why athletics has always been his passion.
![Lythe Pillay gets his shoes ready for a race.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/IMG_3253_45726-e1690811266377-754x470.jpg)
It was in his primary school days that Lythe Pillay was introduced to the first sport that he fell in love with, a sport, that would eventually see him compete on the world stage.
The 400m athlete is currently training for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest set to take place from August 19 to 27. The sport has taught him many things, as well as the importance of hard work, patience and humility.
![Lythe Pillay runs the 400m track.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/gi0pese-546_92469-e1690811193845-350x400.jpg)
The University of Johannesburg student’s most memorable competition was the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. “These were my first Olympic Games – and it being the highest level I have participated in was unforgettable.”
Apart from these games, he has also taken part in quite a number of competitions, such as the Silesia World Relays, the 2021 Nairobi U20 Championships, as well as the 2022 Cali U20 Championships. Though he has gone through his fair share of sport-related injuries, as well as unpredictable setbacks along the way, these have never led him to quit. This he credits to the great support system he has around him, which includes his family and coach who serve as the perfect team for him to lean on during times of difficulty.
![Lythe Pillay gets ready to run.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/07/17165833-Medium-Dig_96270-e1690811213941-342x400.jpg)
Though he won’t reveal just yet what his ultimate goal is, one thing he will share is that he wants to be one of the greatest. He hopes to inspire others to do the same too. “I hope that my application of self-discipline and hard work in my craft can help inspire others to do the same in their craft.”
To fellow athletes – he encourages you to pursue your passions and to strive to be the best version of yourself.
Related article: