The world's fastest 400-meter runner -- Wayde van Niekerk -- is finally returning to the global circuit. A freak knee injury has kept the South African out of action for over a year. In his first media engagement of 2019, he outlined his goals for the season ahead. Our correspondent Sias du Plessis reports.

The world and Olympic 400m champion is back from injury and raring to go following 13 months on the side lines and the 26-year-old says he is ready for the challenge ahead, but is not thinking like a reigning champion, instead he is focusing on the future and proving his doubters wrong.

WAYDE VAN NIEKERK WORLD OLYMPIC 400M CHAMPION "I don't see myself as that world and Olympic champion anymore that is really the past to me, I think even the day after I got those medals I was onto the next one already and that is where my heart is at or where my mind is, I've got so much that I want to achieve."

The global track star expressed his support for his friend Caster Semenya and is confident the world and Olympic 800m champion will triumph in her appeal against the IAAF's new regulations.

WAYDE VAN NIEKERK WORLD OLYMPIC 400M CHAMPION "I really admire her for standing for women and for trying to fight for women's equality, it is something that's inspiring for myself and I really respect her for what she is doing and I really believe she will come back stronger, she has shown it before and she will show us again."

The 400m world record holder ran his first competitive race of the year at the Free State provincial championships, clocking a steady 47.28 seconds and although admitting some discomfort post-race said his sights were firmly on breaking new barriers.

WAYDE VAN NIEKERK WORLD OLYMPIC 400M CHAMPION "It is no secret, I am going for that 42 (seconds) it is no beating around the bush or trying to, that is where my heart is at or my mind is, that is where I am going to go."

SIAS DU PLESSIS JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA "The World and Olympic champion says his previous performances are a thing of the past and his focus is purely on the future and although he admits he has a long road to go regain the form that saw him smash the world record in Rio, his new objective is to better that mark and dip below 43 seconds for the first time in the event's history, Sias du Plessis, CGTN, Johannesburg."