Lythe Pillay gears up for the Rabat Diamond League

By Charles Baloyi
18th May 2025

Former South African 400m champion Lythe Pillay is preparing for his next major test at the Diamond League meet in Rabat on 25 May.

The 22-year-old, a former King Edward VII School pupil, recently returned from China where he helped South Africa win gold in the 4x400m relay at the World Relay Championships.

This will be his second Diamond League appearance of the season, following his outing in Shanghai last month.

READ: Bradley Nkoana reflects on teaming up with Akani Simbine in the relay

Pillay admits he now feels the pressure that comes with being a senior athlete, having moved on from his days as the world U20 400m champion, but says he embraces the expectations that come with the step up.

"This season has been a great learning curve for me, I've had to endure a few setbacks like missing training through the injury. I always put the most amount of pressure on myself, but in the same breath, I have to remain realistic," said Pillay.

The University of Johannesburg student sustained an Achilles tendon injury during the Diamond League race in China.

However, he downplayed the severity of the setback, saying he has everything under control and is relieved it wasn’t the kind of injury that typically sidelines an athlete for the remainder of the season.

"It's nothing too serious, I just felt a bit of a strain and some stiffness, but with a lot of tape and some anti-inflammatories, I should be alright. I had to, unfortunately, humble myself because it wasn't possible for me to contribute like I know I can," said a slightly dejected Pillay.

The two-time Olympian was unable to contribute as much as he had hoped at the 4x400m World Relay Championships in China due to a persistent injury.

As a result, he didn’t compete in all the races, with Leendert Koekemoer stepping in to help the team secure strong results.

Pillay, who receives support through the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) Operation Excellence Programme, which provides funding to athletes, believes that, given the depth of talent in the country, South Africa’s relay teams are well-positioned for sustained success in the years ahead.