South Africa’s track star Wayde van Niekerk has qualified for the men’s 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene. Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Wayde van Niekerk reaches 400m final: Set your alarm!
South Africa’s track star Wayde van Niekerk has qualified for the men’s 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene.
South Africa’s track star Wayde van Niekerk has qualified for the men’s 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene. Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
South Africa’s track star Wayde van Niekerk has qualified for the men’s 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
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Van Niekerk, who unforgettably won the Olympic gold medal in the 400m in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro in a world record time of 43.03 – which stands to this day – posted the fifth-fastest time heading into the final.
Wayde van Niekerk finished 2nd in his heat
Running in the third and final semi-final heat on Wednesday, Van Niekerk finished second in 44.75 to secure one the two automatic qualification spots for the final.
American Michael Norman posted the quickest time of 44.30.
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Van Niekerk, who turned 30 last Friday, will go into the final as an underdog, and while he will need to find more speed to make the podium, nobody is likely to write him off.
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Wayde van Niekerk has been drawn in Lane 7 for the final which will take place at 04:35 on Saturday (SA time).
Meanwhile, Zakhiti Nene finished fourth in the first men’s 400m heat in a time of 45.24, but failed to qualify for the final.
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