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SA WRAP: Nene qualifies for 400m final at world champs

athletics16 September 2025 17:33
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Zakithi Nene © Nic Bothma/Athletics South Africa

Experienced sprinter Zakithi Nene delivered in style at the back end of a breakthrough season, cruising into the men's 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Tuesday.

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Nene won his semifinal in 44.20 seconds, coasting over the line and progressing automatically to the medal contest to be held on Thursday. Though he was fifth quickest in the penultimate round, with Collen Kebinatshipi of Botswana setting a world lead of 43.61, Nene was still the second fastest one-lap athlete in the world this year after setting a personal best of 43.76 earlier this season, and he is expected to challenge for a medal in the final.

"We're here now. Survive and advance is the name of the game. I survived and advanced and I've got one more round left," Nene said.

Lythe Pillay, the only other SA athlete in action on Day 4 of competition, ended sixth in his 400m semifinal in 44.82 and he was eliminated.

"I like to think I have a very realistic mindset when it comes to analysing things. And looking at the stats, the field was very stacked, so I knew it would have needed a personal best (PB) to go through," Pillay said.

"I do accept that my body hasn't gone through what it needs to go through to get a PB, but my whole aim was trying to stay consistent, being present and still giving it some fight. And for me, I'm healthy, I'm strong, things are clicking again and I found my race."

James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa, remained optimistic: "We had two athletes competing today. One went through and I think that's something to look forward to. We still have a number of athletes full of ambition in the contest tomorrow and we wish them well."

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE:

1.15pm – 200m men, heats (Sinesipho Dambile, Naeem Jack, Wayde van Niekerk)

1.45pm – javelin throw men, qualification (Douw Smit)

2pm – 400m hurdles women, semifinal (Zeney van der Walt)

3.20pm – 1 500m men, final (Tshepo Tshite)

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