Zakithi Nene delivered another impressive performance on Friday night, taking second position in the men's 400m race at the Diamond League meeting in Rome, Italy.
Locked in a thrilling battle against Olympic champion Quincy Hall of the United States down the home straight, the South African champion was narrowly edged out on the line. Hall dipped to win by just 0.01, stopping the clock at 44.22, while Nene grabbed the runner-up spot in 44.23.
Photo finish drama 📸
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) June 6, 2025
Watch 🇺🇸’s @QuincyHall400 and 🇿🇦’s Zakithi Nene go toe to toe in a thrilling 400m race, finishing just one hundredth of a second apart 🥵
⏰ 44.22 to 44.23#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/IcZFcBxCub
Collen Kebinatshipi of Botswana finished third in 44.51
"This time is my third fastest time ever. I wanted to win today but this race showed me that I am very consistent in my races," Nene said afterwards.
Zeney Geldenhuys, the only other South African athlete competing in Rome, took sixth place in the women's 400m hurdles contest in 55.29.
Andrenette Knight of Jamaica took the win in 53.67.
"Congratulations for a great performance! Nene definitely gave the Olympic champion jitters and something to think about. Our athletes seem to have found their self-motivation in performances.
"So, as we draw near to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, we continue to urge all to find the strength and solutions to better their times, distances, and heights, because Japan will be tough in competition," said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa.