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Team that will represent SA
Another group of Team South Africa has departed from Johannesburg on Monday to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
In 2017, the team amassed seven medals, five gold, one silver and two bronze and were ranked third overall in the final standings.
Former World Champion and Olympic Games gold medalist Wayde Van Niekerk was part of the strong squad that left on Monday.
Team leader Jean Verster is confident the squad will reclaim their glory days and return to the podium in Tokyo.
“Every athlete in this team can make the final and win the medal. Over the years our athletes have proven this. Even with Hezekiel Sepeng, nobody gave him a shot but our relays have a chance. We have got some experienced guys like Wayde van Niekerk, Akani Simbine and Elroy Gelant,” says Verster.
Van Niekerk won two medals at the 2017 World Championships. He bagged a gold medal in the 400m event and silver in the 200m sprint. He believes the team has what it takes to reproduce the greater heights of 2017.
Wayde Van Niekerk says he needs to run a South African record to stand a chance of winning a medal in the men’s 200m at the upcoming World Athletics Senior Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
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“Everyone has been featuring internationally in widespread competitions all over diamond leagues and top tier meetings all over the world. We have the potential so it’s about the individuals pulling together on the day” he adds.
Van Niekerk will not be competing in the 400m in Japan, an event in which he’s still the world record holder. He will instead be focusing on the 200m and the relays.
“My desire is to focus on the 100m and 200m events. I also want to do well in the 4x400m relay. I am really excited to save as much energy for the relay,” says Van Niekerk.
Two-time Olympian, Zakithi Nene Nene, will be bidding to become the first South African 400m world champion since Van Niekerk.
Nene was relieved to make the team after he suffered a grade two hamstring tear a few weeks ago at the Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix, but he says he is ready for the champs.
South African 400m champion Zakhiti Nene says he is in a good position to win a medal at the upcoming World Champs in Tokyo.
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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) September 8, 2025
“I got injured in Budapest. I got a grade two tear and I was initially supposed to be out for six weeks but here I am, so rehab has been going well. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I would be ready,” says Nene.
SA 400m champion Zakithi Nene believes he is in the right shape to finally claim his first major international medal when the World Senior Athletics Championships get underway in Tokyo from Saturday until 13 September.
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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) September 8, 2025
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