Final a step too far for SA’s Van Niekerk but Botswana continue to shine

On a night when Wayde van Niekerk was hoping to have triumphantly completed his comeback from a career-threatening injury, the world-record holder left the World Athletics Championships track in despair on Thursday night in Budapest.

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Having produced several promising 400m times throughout the season, including a 44.08 in Poland last month, the South African star couldn’t match that form in the final, finishing in last place in a sluggish 45.11.

Jamaican Antonio Watson claimed the gold in 44.22 with Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith taking the silver in 44.31 and American Quincy Hall the bronze in 44.37.

“Very frustrating, disappointed, but obviously I have to take full responsibility. I’m the one that lined up, I’m the one that put the effort in, and we all know it was well off par from what I can do,” said a dejected Van Niekerk.

“I ran bad, I ran terrible, we all saw that. The run was well off. I mean I’m a 44 [second] athlete from the get-go of the season so I was wrong, I did not execute my race right. Things didn’t go my way and I’m still processing it all but it was definitely bad.”

"I ran a terrible race," says 🇿🇦 Wayde van Niekerk after missing out on a medal in the 400m.

Having started decently, Van Niekerk finished last in a field of eight. #Budapest23 #WorldAthleticsChampionshipspic.twitter.com/rR7oTEgFRh

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) August 24, 2023

TOUGH WEEK FOR NIGERIA'S AMUSAN

There was also disappointment for Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan who missed out on a podium place in the 100m hurdles.

It’s been a tough week for the world record holder, who was only cleared of the charge of missing three dope tests in the space of 12 months, on the eve of the championships.

Amusan finished sixth in the final in 12.62 seconds with Jamaican Danielle Williams claiming gold in 12.43.

“It wasn’t the best executed race but I just came out here and did what I was supposed to do. Maybe not enough to get the gold but I’m just grateful that I finished healthy,” said Amusan.

“It was a journey coming in here. Mentally and physically I wasn’t 100 per cent but to get through the rounds and make it to the finals, I’m just thankful that I’m able to continue to do what I have a passion for and it’s not over.”

GOLF CART CRASH

Meanwhile, in a bizarre twist to the 200m semifinals, two of the golf carts transporting the athletes to the track collided causing several minor injuries.

What in the world was this??

A buggy collision with the 200m athletes, including Noah Lyles.#Budapest2023 #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/yDgTSWpIzf

— Blaynos (@Blaynos14) August 24, 2023

Among them was South Africa’s Luxolo Adams, who explained: “I was a bit dizzy. I guess everyone was. [Andrew] Hudson was a bit more injured, more than everyone because he had glass in his eye so he was taken into the medical facility for him to be examined to see if he could participate or not.

“Then they took us to the waiting room to wait there, which was for me a bit of an inconvenience because now we are sitting there and waiting and you don’t know what time you are running, and they kept on telling us 10 minutes, 10 minutes, and you are getting cold.”

Adams eventually finished sixth in his semifinal in 20.44.

World Athletics later released a statement saying: “The 200m heats reorder was due to the collision of two golf carts. One athlete and a volunteer were assessed, and the athlete cleared to participate. The volunteer is also fine. The Local Organising Committee is investigating the incident and reviewing the transport procedures.”

JOY FOR BOTSWANA

After all delayed semifinals were completed, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo was the only African athlete to make it through to Friday night’s final. 

The 100m silver medallist claimed second spot in his race in 19.97 to keep his hopes of a second medal alive.

Having powered to the front, Tebogo still had time to ease up and look across to American Kenny Bednarek before crossing the finish line.

“I wasn't playing mind games at the end there,” explained Tebogo. “He looked at me and in my mind I was like ‘Why is he looking at me? Just keep going, keep going.' But in the end we both went into the final. Now I'll have to see how the body recovers after all these races. I'm just coming here to see how it goes.”

There was more joy for Botswana as Tshepiso Masalela ran a PB of 1:44.14 in the 800m semifinals to book his place in Saturday’s final.

“It is a new level for me. This year I have been running so many PBs. Tonight I was even faster. We discussed with my coach that my previous PB of over 1:45 would not be enough to get to the final.

“This race was a crucial one for me. I did it in the best possible way. I am looking forward to the final, but I am a realist. I do not think about any colour of medal. If it happens I appreciate it. Right now, it is much more important for me to continue progressing and to gain as much experience in tactical races as possible.”

Also through to the semifinals was 19-year-old Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyoni who won his semifinal in 1:43.83.

“It was not an easy race but I cannot complain about anything. I wanted to qualify for the final and there I might surprise the world,” he reckoned.

The other African athletes to make it through the semifinals were Algerians Slimane MOULA (1:43.93 ) and Djamel Sedjati (1:44.49).

TA LOU INTO 200M FINAL

Meanwhile, after just missing out on a 100m medal, Ivorian Marie-Josée Ta Lou will have a second shot at reaching the podium in Budapest after running a season’s best 22.26 in her semifinal. The 34-year-old will get her shot in Friday night’s final.

“Every time people give me their support, and congratulate me, even though I did not win a medal, it means a lot to me,” she said. “It means what I am doing is recognised by other people, so I do not need a medal to showcase my talent. I know I am talented, and I know I will medal, maybe next year. I do not know if I will medal tomorrow, we will see.”

In the first event of the evening session in Budapest, seven African athletes progressed to the 5 000m final. 

The Ethiopian duo of Yomif Kejelcha (13:32.83) and Hagos Gebr Gebrhiwet (13:36.15) led the way, both finishing second in their respective heats.