Ernst van Dyk was born in Ceres in the Western Cape in 1973 with congenital absence of both legs. Despite this Ernst demonstrated an affinity for all things sporty from an early age and was encouraged by his parents to partake in various activities – from gymnastics to swimming and even table tennis. It’s just as well they did!
By the age of 17 Ernst had earned his national colours for swimming and went on to compete in the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics. He took fifth place in the pool, but it was reaching the semi-finals in the wheelchair events that turned his career to the track.
It was in 1993 that people started to sit up and take note of this dedicated athlete. After a three-year sponsorship with the German company Sopur, Ernst was approached in 1998 by Invacare, a leading manufacturer of wheelchair and other home medical equipment.
A long-standing relationship with Invacare ensued, allowing Ernst to win, among others, nine consecutive Boston Marathons – the world’s most prestigious wheelchair marathon. In 2009 Ernst launched his Enabled Sport brand, currently the distributor for Invacare Top End sports and recreational products in South Africa.
With a myriad of achievements already behind him, Ernst still maintains an active sporting career encompassing wheelchair racing, handcycling and motivational speaking. He aims to win the Boston Marathon ten times, take two gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics and complete an Iron Man in under nine hours.
Despite all his sporting success, Ernst insists that one of his biggest personal accomplishments was being the first person with a disability to graduate with a degree in Sport Science from Stellenbosch University. He is currently the manager of the Event and Project Management division at the Stellenbosch University Sport Performance Institute and is an ambassador for the International Paralympic Committee and the Laureus Sport for Good foundation.
On a personal note: Ernst still lives and works in the Western Cape – in Paarl and Stellenbosch respectively – and adores his wife Suzanne and daughter Lexi. In his spare time he relaxes with friends and family, listens to The Parlotones, watches Morgan Freeman movies, walks his two dogs every day and tends to his impressive collection of award-winning Koi.
He’s not a fussy eater, but loves Japanese food, prefers chocolate to vanilla and frequently indulges in his special blend of fruit and ice-cream.
More fast facts with Ernst
- Other set of wheels is a Ford Ranger (would prefer a Ferrari)
- Listens to The Parlotones, watches Gladiator or 300
- Remembers winning the Laureus Award in 2006
- Aspires to win the Boston Marathon 10 times
Career highlights
- Nine-times Boston Marathon Champion (2001 – 2006, 2008- 2010)
- 2008: Won Gold and Bronze at the Beijing Paralympics
- 2006: Laureus Award for sports star with a disability
- 2004: First to break 1h 20 min barrier in the Boston Marathon
- 2004: Voted Men’s Health Man of the Year (Sport)
- 2004: Voted Commonwealth Sports Star of the year
- 2004: Won three medals at the 2004 Athens Paralympics Games
- 2004: Western Cape Sport Star of the Year
- 2003, 2004: Recipient of the Presidential Silver Award for sport
- 2002: Recipient of the Presidential Golden Award for sport
- 2001, 2002: Finalist for Western Cape Sport Star of the Year
- 2001: First to break the 19 min barrier for 10 km in the Boston Marathon
National colours
- 2008 Paralympics in Beijing
- 2004 Paralympics in Athens
- 2000 Paralympics in Sydney
- 1998 World Athletics Championships
- 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta
- 1994 World Athletics Championships in Berlin
- 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona
Click here for further details about Ernst’s career.
