Zakithi Nene powers into 400m final at World Athletics Championships as favourites falter

Zakithi Nene stormed into the final of the men's 400m on Day 4  of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Tuesday, the South African one-lap star maintaining his composure after two restarts, but compatriot Lythe Pillay failed to advance to Thursday's decider.

Nene looked relaxed before and during the first semi-final, which he won in a fast time of 44:20, despite coasting over the final 100m. Lee Bhekempilo Eppie of Botswana finished in second in a time of 44.51.

Pillay, the reigning World University Games champion, could only manage sixth place in the second semifinal in a time of 44.82. Young Collen Kebinatshipi of Botswana was the surprise winner in a remarkable time of 43.61while pre-championship favourite Jaccori Patterson of the US faded badly to finish fourth, and only advanced on time. The 21-year-old eclipsed Nene's previous world lead of 43.76.

In fact, it was a bad day on the National Stadium track for the favourites. Olympic silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith of Great Britain and bronze medallist Kirani James, the Grenadian veteran, both failed to advance.

There will be a distinct African flavour to the final showdown, after Botswana's Ndori also won the third semi-final in a time of 44:21 bringing to three the number of runners from SA's northern neighbours who will feature in the one-lap shootout that promises to be an epic.

“It was well within my means. Right now it’s all about survive and advance – it’s a championship  and I did just enough to advance. With 44.20, hopefully I can a get a decent lane for the final, then we can go for it,” Nene said in a post-race television interview.

Asked if the three-round nature of the 400m competition had been a challenge, a confident Nene responded: “If I have to run rounds, I’m well conditioned for that. I can give you PB after PB, no problem.”

It is a message echoed by Nene's coach Victor Vaz amid concerns about the toll the hot, humid conditions in Tokyo is also taking on the runners.

"I've prepared him, he's conditioned to deal with that," Vaz told Independent Media Sport exclusively from Tokyo. "He trains in Durban – in wind, in rain, in heat so I think he's got the sh*t. I quietly expected him to run the race the way he did because I know what his capabilities are. 

"He looks very comfortable. He hasn't reached the bottom of the tank and he wants his world lead back, so I'd like to believe he's aiming for 43.60. The challenge is who's got legs in the third leg (final), it's as simple as that."

Thursday's final will take place at 3.10pm on Thursday (SA time).