Team SA pin medal hopes on Zakithi as Van Niekerk cruises

ZAKITHI Nene will be looking to end Team South Africa’s eight-year medal drought at the World Athletics Championships today when he lines up in the men’s 400m final.

- JOHN GOLIATH

Nene stormed into the final in Tokyo after winning his heat on Tuesday, the South African one-lap star overcoming two restarts to put himself into medal contention. Nene cruised home in a fast time of 44.20, despite coasting over the final 100m.

He has consistently clocked sub-45-second times, with his standout performance being a personal best and world-leading 43.76 in Kenya this past May. He also had a solid Diamond League campaign, finishing second in Rome behind Olympic champion Quincy Hall.

However, his time was only the fifth fastest in the semifinals, with Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinatshibi emerging as the favourite after clocking a new world-leading time of 43.61 in the third semi.