Lythe Pillay on flying start after major endorsement deal

The sprinter has signed with Swiss sportswear brand On, joining a growing roster of African talent.

Pillay recently clocked an impressive 44.32 at the CGA Championships and expressed his excitement about the partnership, explaining that the brand’s vision and support made the decision to commit an easy one.

"I'm super excited about signing with On, and I feel like it's an exciting chapter for both of us. Being the first SA track and field athlete to join on the roster is a pretty cool honour, and it's really exciting," said Pillay 

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"I resonate with On being a new brand – up and coming having already established a name as a very dominant brand in the sport industry. I also like seeing myself as that as that. Having come through the ranks as a junior, I'm now punting for the bigger titles I am punting with the major and heavy names in the sport – I'm going up against guys I grew up watching in the sport. So, I do think we have that thing in common."

Pillay was 0.03 seconds off his personal best, which he says is again proof of what he’s always been capable of despite injury setbacks last year. 

"It makes me really thrilled to have opened up my season the way I did. I'd say it's a confidence boost for me, and I also see it as reasurrance in On's investment in me"

"I knew what I was capable of last year, but unfortunately I wasn't able to produce everything I knew I could due to an injury. On has seen my progression curve and what I have achieved before, and they believe in my trajectory going forward. I feel really honoured and grateful that I am really able to provide that reasurance and confirm their belief in me."

The 23-year-old believes that the deal with On is likely to coincide with a period in his career he considers to be his peak. 

Speaking about targets for the rest of the year, Pillay says he is eager to make his Commonwealth Games debut later this year. 

His 44.32 time gives him hope.