Wayde van Niekerk beats Michael Johnson's record, wins 400m gold

An American who previously took gold in this event won the bronze on Sunday night

History was made in two facets in the 400-meter final on Sunday night in Rio de Janeiro.

A stunning upset came from lane 8, as South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk set a world record, breaking American Michael Johnson's 43.18 mark. van Niekerk crossed -- and blew away the field -- in 43.03. He also became the first person ever to win a world or Olympic 400-meter race from lane 8.

Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa blows away the field. Getty Images

Johnson, the only man to ever win the 400-meter gold twice, held the record from 1999 until van Niekerk shocked the competition and the racing world.

American LaShawn Merritt, who won gold in the 400 at the 2008 Beijing Games, took bronze (43.85), while Kirani James of Grenada won silver (43.76).

And here's something you almost never see: a track athlete whose coach is his grandmother. Rock on, van Niekerk.

Well done, Coach! #Rio2016pic.twitter.com/Vp7JEOlaWp

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 15, 2016