Wayde van Niekerk

Just as well that there were no spectators in the Tokyo Stadium when Wayde van Niekerk ran in his 400m semi-final on Monday. Photo: Team SA website

Wayde van Niekerk faces daunting task in 400m hurdles + time to watch

South Africa’s 400m Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk faces a daunting task should he wish to defend his one-lap title at the Tokyo Olympics.

Wayde van Niekerk

Just as well that there were no spectators in the Tokyo Stadium when Wayde van Niekerk ran in his 400m semi-final on Monday. Photo: Team SA website

South Africa’s 400m Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk faces a daunting task should he wish to defend his one-lap title at the Tokyo Olympics.

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Wayde van Niekerk finished a lowly third in his heat, placing him in the toughest of the three semi-finals to be contested later on Monday, 2 August.

The 29-year-old, who memorably broke the 400m world record in 43.03 in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, has subsequently suffered a number of injury setbacks.

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Nevertheless, Van Niekerk will take to the track in the third and final semi-final at 13:21 SA time today.

The top two finishers in each of the semi-finals along with the next best two times will progress to the eight-man final.

However, in Van Niekerk’s semi-final are both the favourites for the title – according to bookmakers Hollywoodbets.

American Michael Norman and the Bahamas’ Steven Gardiner will be in action, as will be Botswana’s Isaac Makwala.

Van Niekerk will have his work cut out for him at an Olympics that hasn’t smiled favourably on a number of pre-Games favourites.

The first semi-final will take place at 13:05 with the second one scheduled for 13:13.

The men’s 400m final is set for Thursday, 5 August at 14:00 SA time.

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