biography
| name: |
Potgieter, Gerhardus Cornelius
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pronunciation:
[pohtkheeter]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1937– )
|
| biography:
| Athlete, born in Pietermaritzburg, E South Africa. He set three world records for the 440 y hurdles starting with 50·7 s in 1957, a time he improved to 49·72 s when he won a gold medal at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, adding a second gold in the 4 x 440 y relay. He improved again in 1960 to 49·3 s to win his fifth consecutive South African title. He also held the South African title at 220 y hurdles in 1959–60. He sustained serious injuries, including the loss of an eye, in a road accident on his way to the Rome Olympic Games in 1960, and although he returned to athletics he never recaptured his hurdling form. |
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