World Athletics Championships 2017: Wayde van Niekerk eases into 400m final
:focal(140x151:142x149)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2020/04/28/2811917-58003384-310-310.png)
Updated 06/08/2017 at 19:41 GMT
Wayde van Niekerk and Baboloki Thebe eased their way into the 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in heat 2 of the semi-finals.
Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa in action
Image credit: Reuters
Van Niekerk didn't really get out of first gear as he showed just how dominant he is at this distance.
Thebe led the race but Van Niekerk effortlessly passed him.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/08/06/2140959-44776590-2560-1440.jpg)
Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa prepares for the Men's 400 metres semi finals during day three of the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 at The London Stadium on August 6, 2017 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
From there the pair had built up such a big lead that they were more or less able to jog the final 40m.
Van Niekerk was originally drawn in the opening heat but organisers changed the line-up, which pleased the South African.
"Whoever changed it, thank you, I wasn’t ready for 43 seconds,” he said.
"It seems like every time we go on the track someone breaks 44 seconds. It is good competition but it just means I always have to be on my game.
"I'm just trying to get through the rounds as conservatively as I can."
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/08/06/2140956-44776530-2560-1440.jpg)
Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa and Baboloki Thebe of Botswana react after the race.
Image credit: Reuters
Van Niekerk is expected to claim gold in Tuesday's final and with Usain Bolt retiring he is in the frame to become the main man of the short distance track events.
Steven Gardiner improved his own Bahamas national record and went under 44 seconds for the first time, clocking a 43.89 which he might pay for in the final on Tuesday.
Nathon Allen also set a Jamaican record, taking almost half a second off his best with 44.19.
Botswana's Isaac Makwala looked very comfortable in winning his heat in 44.22 seconds.
Results in full
Semifinal 1
1. Steven Gardiner (Bahamas) 43.89 Q
2. Nathon Allen (Jamaica) 44.19 Q
3. Fred Kerley (U.S.) 44.51 Q
4. Kevin Borlee (Belgium) 45.10
5. Wilbert London (U.S.) 45.12
6. Oscar Husillos (Spain) 45.16
7. Rafal Omelko (Poland) 45.37
8. Dwayne Cowan (Britain) 45.96
Semifinal 2
1. Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa) 44.22 Q
2. Baboloki Thebe (Botswana) 44.33 Q
3. Abdalelah Haroun (Qatar) 44.64 Q
4. Matthew Hudson-Smith (Britain) 44.74
5. Lalonde Gordon (Trinidad and Tobago) 45.20
6. Brian Gregan (Ireland) 45.42
7. LaShawn Merritt (U.S.) 45.52
8. Boniface Ontuga Mweresa (Kenya) 45.93
Semifinal 3
1. Isaac Makwala (Botswana) 44.30 Q
2. Demish Gaye (Jamaica) 44.55 Q
3. Gil Roberts (U.S.) 44.84
4. Jamal Walton (Cayman Islands) 45.16
5. Jonathan Borlee (Belgium) 45.23
6. Pavel Maslak (Czech Republic) 45.24
7. Machel Cedenio (Trinidad and Tobago) 45.91
8. Davide Re (Italy) 45.95
1. Steven Gardiner (Bahamas) 43.89 Q
2. Nathon Allen (Jamaica) 44.19 Q
3. Fred Kerley (U.S.) 44.51 Q
4. Kevin Borlee (Belgium) 45.10
5. Wilbert London (U.S.) 45.12
6. Oscar Husillos (Spain) 45.16
7. Rafal Omelko (Poland) 45.37
8. Dwayne Cowan (Britain) 45.96
Semifinal 2
1. Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa) 44.22 Q
2. Baboloki Thebe (Botswana) 44.33 Q
3. Abdalelah Haroun (Qatar) 44.64 Q
4. Matthew Hudson-Smith (Britain) 44.74
5. Lalonde Gordon (Trinidad and Tobago) 45.20
6. Brian Gregan (Ireland) 45.42
7. LaShawn Merritt (U.S.) 45.52
8. Boniface Ontuga Mweresa (Kenya) 45.93
Semifinal 3
1. Isaac Makwala (Botswana) 44.30 Q
2. Demish Gaye (Jamaica) 44.55 Q
3. Gil Roberts (U.S.) 44.84
4. Jamal Walton (Cayman Islands) 45.16
5. Jonathan Borlee (Belgium) 45.23
6. Pavel Maslak (Czech Republic) 45.24
7. Machel Cedenio (Trinidad and Tobago) 45.91
8. Davide Re (Italy) 45.95
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement