Zakithi Nene crosses the finish line in 43.76 to record the world’s fastest 400m time of the season. Image: Zakithi Nene shared via Instagram @zakithi_nene.
(The Post News)– South African 400m champion Zakithi Nene delivered a standout performance on the international athletics circuit this past weekend, clocking a world-leading time of 43.76 seconds at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday.
Nene’s blistering run saw him become only the second South African to break the 44-second barrier in the one-lap race, joining world record holder Wayde van Niekerk. He comfortably beat Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie, who finished second in 44.98.
In the 100m event, national junior record holder Bayanda Walaza showed promising form despite a disrupted start. After a strong first attempt was halted by a recall, with no disqualifications, Walaza appeared slightly cautious in the second start. Nonetheless, he clocked an impressive 10.03 seconds to finish second behind Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy, who won in 9.98.
Shaun Maswanganyi was also among the top SA performers in Nairobi. He secured second place in the 200m with a season’s best time of 20.47 in a tightly contested race. Liberian sprinter Joseph Fahnbulleh edged him at the finish line, winning in 20.40. Maswanganyi later returned for the 100m sprint, where he placed fourth in 10.24.
Elsewhere in Europe, hurdler Mondray Barnard earned a second-place finish at the Irena Szewinska Memorial in Poland, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour. He clocked 13.49 in the 110m hurdles, narrowly missing out on victory to Belgium’s Elie Bacari, who won in 13.43.
Athletics South Africa President James Moloi, re-elected on Saturday, expressed pride in the team’s performances. He praised the athletes’ progress as they prepare for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this year, singling out Nene’s achievement as a remarkable milestone for South African track and field.
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