Sprinter Zakithi Nene produced a memorable performance on Sunday, outclassing a quality line-up to win the men's 400m race at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.
Nene, who reached the final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, last year, completed the one-lap race in 44.48 seconds to secure the second Diamond League victory of his career. Former World Indoor Championships bronze medallist Jacory Patterson took second place in 44.69.
"It's a very special win for me here today and against a strong field, so I'm happy. I really like Stockholm with its nice crowd and the track was nice too, but it was a shame it was so windy," Nene said afterwards. "I've had a solid start to my season but I've been battling an achilles problem, unfortunately."
With four South Africans competing at the top-flight meeting in the Swedish capital, Sinesipho Dambile finished second in the men's 200m dash in 20.10, with countryman Mthi Mthimkhulu ending fifth in 20.78. Up front, the half-lap race was won by American athlete Kenny Bednarek, a two-time Olympic silver medallist, in 19.87.
In the women's 800m race, Prudence Sekgodiso built on her consistency on the international circuit this season, grabbing fifth spot in 1:57.70. In a lightning fast contest, Swiss athlete Audrey Werro produced a stunning performance to triumph in 1:53.98, setting a new Diamond League record.
“We are thrilled with this early season performances on the international calendar. It tells us of the early determination that our athletes have. Congratulates to Nene and coaches for notching this second Diamond League win and we hope it gives him the confidence to build on this as he takes on his next assignments. All our athletes must continue keep their focus this season,” said John Mathane, the Deputy President and Acting President of ASA.
The sixth of 15 legs in the 2026 Diamond League series will be held in Oslo, Norway on Wednesday.