Sinesipho Dambile( Men’ s 200m)
Our September cover star was the pick of the South African athletes. He comfortably won his 200m semifinal in 19.80 seconds to progress to the final later that evening where he finished fourth in 19.91 seconds. The title was taken by the USA’ s Kenny Bednarek in a world-leading time of 19.52 seconds, with Botswana’ s Olympic champions Letsile Tebogo second in 19.76 and American Courtney Lindsey third in 19.79.
Zakithi Nene( Men’ s 400m)
Finished seventh in his 400m semifinal in 45.30 seconds. With only the top four qualifying, Nene didn’ t make it through to the final, which was won by Botswana’ s Collen Kebinatshipi in a new national record of 43.39 seconds. Nene was well off the season’ s best time of 43.89 seconds he set earlier this year in Paris.
Marioné Fourie( Women’ s 100m hurdles)
Finished sixth in her 100m hurdles semifinal in 12.84 seconds, so didn’ t make it through to the final, which was won by world record-holder Masai Russell in 12.22 seconds.
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Gift Leotlela and Akani Simbine( Men’ s 100m)
Both Gift Leotlela and Akani Simbine made it through to the final of the 100m which featured four African athletes. Leotlela finished fourth in his semifinal in 10.03 seconds and ran 9.98 to finish sixth in the final, which was won by Bednarek in 9.85, while Simbine was also fourth in his semifinal, in 10.05, and eighth in the final in 10.09.
Prudence Sekgodiso( Women’ s 800m)
Finished sixth in her 800m semifinal in 1 minute 59.66 seconds and didn’ t make it through to the final, which was won by Switzerland’ s Audrey Werro in 1:55.88. Like Nene, Sekgodiso was a long way from the career-best time of 1:56.53 she ran, also in Paris in June. https:// www. instagram. com / reel / DdRw4-6uUGF /
A special shout-out to Brazilian world record-holder Alison dos Santos, not only for obliterating the competition on his way to victory in the 400m hurdles in a time of 45.98 seconds, but for showing South Africa some love by sporting a Bafana Bafana shirt at the red-carpet media event the day before the action kicked off. We’ re claiming him as an honorary South African for sure!
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