Biography
Wenda Nel (born July 30, 1988), née Theron, is a South African athlete. The 34-year-old specializes in the 400-meter hurdles. She won a Gold medal at the 2014 African Championship in Marrakech, Morocco.
Nel won Gold medals at the 2016 African Championships in Durban, South Africa. She has won silver and bronze medals. She has competed in many Commonwealth and Olympic games.
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| Quick Facts | |
| Full Name: | Wenda Nel |
| Born: | July 30, 1988 (age 34 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Worcester, Western Cape |
| Education: | University of Pretoria |
| Occupation: | Athlete |
| Height: | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Weight: | 57 kg (126 lb) |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Sport: | Athletics |
| Coach: | Irma Reyneke |
| Spouse: | Jacques Nel (m. 2012) |
| Profiles: | |
Early Life and Education
Wenda Nel was born on July 30, 1988, in Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa. After her matriculation, she enrolled at the University of Pretoria.
Career
In 2005, she finished the 17th in a 200 m race at the World Youth Championships in Marrakech, Morocco.
In 2006, she competed at the 100 m World Junior Championships in Beijing, China, and finished 45th (h). She competed in 4 × 100 m relay and finished 17th (h) and 35th (h) in 200 m.
Nel entered the 400 m hurdles at the Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia, and finished 9th (h). In a 100m hurdle at the 2007 African Junior Championships held at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, she finished 8th.
At the 400m hurdle at the 2010 African Championships held in Nairobi, Kenya, she came out 7th. She competed in 400m hurdles in the 2011 Universiade at Shenzhen, China, and finished 5th and also finished 5th in 4 × 400 m relay.
Nel participated in the 400 m hurdle 2011 World Championships at Daegu, South Korea, and came out 23rd (SF). She also finished 2nd in 400 m hurdles at All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique 2nd 400 m hurdles.
In 2012, she competed at the African Championships in Porto Novo, Benin, and finished 5th in 400 m hurdles. She also finished 4th in 4 × 400 m relay.
Nel entered the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, United Kingdom, and came out 5th (h) in the 400 m hurdles. She won a gold medal in 400m hurdles at the African Championships in Marrakech, Morocco.
In 2015, she finished 7th in 400m hurdles at World Championships in Beijing, China. She won another gold medal in 400 m hurdles at the African Championships in Durban, South Africa. She won another gold medal in 4 × 400 m relay.
The same year, she competed in and finished 13th in 400 m hurdles at Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In 2017, she was 10th (SF) 400 m hurdles at World Championships in London, United Kingdom. She finished 13th (h) in 4 × 400 m relay in the same competition.
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, Nel won a bronze medal in 400 m hurdles. She won another bronze medal at the 2018 African Championships in 400 m hurdles in Asaba, Nigeria.
In 2019 she entered the African Games competition at Rabat, Morocco, and finished 6th in 400 m hurdles. She also finished 5th in 4 × 400 m relay competition.
In 2021, she competed in 400 m hurdles at Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, and finished 17th (SF). She finished 7th in the 400 m hurdles at the 2022African Championships in Port Louis, Mauritius.
Medals
Wenda Nel has competed in many events and has won several medals. She has represented South Africa in Women’s athletics since 2005.
All-Africa Games
- Silver medal in 400 m hurdles at 2011 Maputo
African Championships
- Gold medal in 400 m hurdles at 2014 Marrakech
- Gold medal in 400 m hurdles at 2016 Durban
- Gold medal in 4×400 m relay at 2016 Durban
- Bronze medal in 400 m hurdles at 2018 Asaba
Commonwealth Games
- Bronze medal in 400 m hurdles at 2018 Gold Coast
Personal Life
Olympic Athlete Wenda Nel got married to Jacques Nel in 2012. Wenda stands as tall as 1.65 m and weighs 57 kg.
Social Profiles
Wenda has a verified Instagram account where she posts her accomplishments. The puma athlete posts about her hurdles and career achievements.
Competition record
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | African Championships | Port Louis, Mauritius | 7th | 400 m hurdles |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | 17th (sf) | 400 m hurdles |
| 2019 | African Games | Rabat, Morocco | 6th | 400 m hurdles |
| 2019 | African Games | Rabat, Morocco | 5th | 4 × 400 m relay |
| 2018 | African Championships | Asaba, Nigeria | 3rd | 400 m hurdles |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Australia | 3rd | 400 m hurdles |
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 10th (sf) | 400 m hurdles |
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 13th (h) | 4 × 400 m relay |
| 2016 | Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 13th (sf) | 400 m hurdles |
| 2016 | African Championships | Durban, South Africa | 1st | 400 m hurdles |
| 2016 | African Championships | Durban, South Africa | 1st | 4 × 400 m relay |
| 2015 | World Championships | Beijing, China | 7th | 400 m hurdles |
| 2014 | African Championships | Marrakech, Morocco | 1st | 400 m hurdles |
| 2014 | Commonwealth Games | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 5th (h) | 400 m hurdles |
| 2012 | African Championships | Porto Novo, Benin | 5th | 400 m hurdles |
| 2012 | African Championships | Porto Novo, Benin | 4th | 4 × 400 m relay |
| 2011 | All-Africa Games | Maputo, Mozambique | 2nd | 400 m hurdles |
| 2011 | World Championships | Daegu, South Korea | 23rd (sf) | 400 m hurdles |
| 2011 | Universiade | Shenzhen, China | 5th | 400 m hurdles |
| 2011 | Universiade | Shenzhen, China | 5th | 4 × 400 m relay |
| 2010 | African Championships | Nairobi, Kenya | 7th | 400 m hurdles |
| 2009 | Universiade | Belgrade, Serbia | 9th (h) | 400 m hurdles |
| 2007 | African Junior Championships | Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | 8th | 100 m hurdles |
| 2006 | World Junior Championships | Beijing, China | 45th (h) | 100 m |
| 2006 | World Junior Championships | Beijing, China | 35th (h) | 200m |
| 2006 | World Junior Championships | Beijing, China | 17th (h) | 4 × 100m |