Sinesipho Dambile flies the flag for SA on another disappointing day at world champs

Team SA’s search for an elusive World Athletics Championships medal continues after another tough day of competition on Day 5 in Tokyo on Thursday.

One of South Africa’s top medal hopes, Zakithi Nene, missed out on a podium place in the men’s 400m final, finishing fifth in a time of 44.55. Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi won gold and made history as his country’s first-ever athletics world champion.

Nene went out hard in the first 200m, but began to fade with around 130m to go. Kebinatshipi, the fastest man in the qualifiers, timed his surge to perfection and powered through the back straight before crossing the line ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards and fellow Motswana Bayapo Ndori.

Meanwhile, in the 200m, Sinesipho Dambile kept South African hopes alive by qualifying for the final after a superb run in the third semi-final. He clocked a personal best of 19.97, earning a place in the final as one of the fastest qualifiers.

However, Wayde van Niekerk, one of South Africa’s greatest athletes and the world 400m record holder, wasn’t as fortunate. The veteran, who has struggled for form since a freak touch rugby injury in 2017, could only manage fourth place in the first semi-final, clocking 20.12.

Noah Lyles remains the favourite for the event after storming to a world-leading 19.51 in Dambile’s heat. Jamaican Bryan Levell looked equally impressive, winning the second semi in 19.78, ahead of Botswana's Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo (19.95).

There was more heartbreak for South Africa in the women’s 800m, as Prudence Sekgodiso pulled up with an injury in her heat. She clutched her leg on the back straight of the final lap and was unable to complete the race.