Wayde van Niekerk won the 400m race in the IAAF Diamond League, Monaco, by a thrilling finish from strong competition in rival, Botswana’s Isaac Makwala.
Winning with a time of 43.73, Niekerk was made to work extra by Makwala who battled the South African Rio Olympic winner around the final bend. The world champion and also world record holder at the event fought back and coursed on in blistering time.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”It was a great performance. I’m feeling positive about it. My body feels to be in great shape and this win from behind gives me confidence,”[/perfectpullquote]
van Niekerk said.
“We still are not peaking, we trained hard last week and all should be okay for London and my double (200, 400m). I’m ready for the big plan!”
Makwala set a personal best of 43.84 behind Van Niekerk.
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Meanwhile, van Niekerk’s counterpart Caster Semenya, put up another fine performance in the women’s 800m, timing a personal best and Diamond League record of 1:55.27, in a race where four national records were set.
The current Olympic champion and a two-time world gold medalist said, “I showed my strength, it was a hard fight until the end.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The girls surprised me how good they ran. “I think I can run really fast; we are training for that. Now we must decide, maybe tonight, what I’ll do in London if it’s only the 800m, or also the 400m or 1 500m. The main thing is to stay healthy and a top result will come.”[/perfectpullquote]
Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba made the podium in the second position after losing by 0.20sec.
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Kenyans also set records in Monaco. Elijah Manangoi out-sprinted Timothy Cheruiyot to win in a season’s fastest of 3:28.80 in the men’s 1500m.
Teammates, Emmanuel Korir, in his debut professional race, set another season’s leading best in the men’s 800m in a time of 1:43.10 while Hellen Obiri also recorded a leading 8:23.14, in the 3000m as a startling eight of the top 11 racers set personal bests on the fast Monaco track.
Featured Photo: Getty Images
