Isaac Makwala, Botswana, 2017 World Championships

The big names in the men’s 400m all advanced from their heats to set up a scintillating clash on Sunday, with Botswana’s Isaac Makwala clocking the overall fastest time of 44.55s to top the 400m standings on Day 2 of the IAAF World Championships in London.

USA’s Fred Kerley took it easy in Heat 1, looking across his shoulders several times before crossing the line in 44.92s to finish ahead of Lalonde Gordon (45.02s) and Kevin Borlee (45.09s), with Pavel Maslak (45.10s) and homeboy Matthew Hudson-Smith (45.31s) qualifying as the fastest losers from the heat.

World No.2 Fred Kerley took it easy to win Heat 1 of the men’s 400m. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media

World No.2 Kerley said afterwards: “I’m in shape and you’ve just got to give it your all each and every day. It was a nice performance in my first World Championship race and I’m excited to get into the semifinals.”

World Record (WR) holder Wayde Van Niekerk enjoyed tremendous support from the crowd and took Heat 2 in 45.27s, as Davide Re (45.71s) and Machel Cedenio (45.77s) followed.

Another African athlete Baboloki Thebe was the man to beat in Heat 3, dominating in 44.82s as Jamaica’s Demish Gaye (44.98s) and Dwayne Cowan (45.39s) settled for 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Van Niekerk held off his rivals to qualify for the semis. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media

Bahamian quartermiler Steven Gardiner looked smooth in Heat 4 and coasted to victory in 44.75s, while Wil London III placed 2nd in 45.10s.

Makwala totally dominated Heat 5, powering down the home straight in an impressive time of 44.55s while former World Champion LaShawn Merritt dug deep to finish 2nd in 45.00s. Makwala, who is looking forward to finishing on the podium in London, said:

“Everything is okay. I know I am ready, but at the same time I take everything step by step. If I qualify for the final, then that is my focus. But until then it is step by step, always. Wayde Van Niekerk is my brother. We want to conquer the world together and make the final for Africa. He is so friendly and a lovely guy.”

Merritt is hoping for a good championship after enduring a somewhat quiet season. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media

Merritt who has had a somewhat quiet season said: “I haven’t had the best season. I’ve been dealing with little bits, but I’m here now, and when I line up, I give it my all. I’m wishing for the best out of these championships.

“My motivation is that I didn’t get a chance to run here in 2012 because I was hurt, and I have some things going on with my body at the moment that I have to mentally overcome. But I’m a warrior and I’ll line up and give it everything.”

Jamaica’s Nathon Allen gave it his all to win Heat 6 where he returned a time of 44.91s, with USA’s Gil Roberts posting a time of 44.92s in 2nd place, while Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun settled for 3rd with a time of 45.27s.

The men’s 400m semis will hold on Sunday, August 6, while the final comes up on August 8.

Jamaica’s Nathon Allen won the final heat of the men’s 400m ahead of USA’s Gil Roberts. Photo Credit: Making of Champions/PaV Media

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Yemi Galadima is a Senior Sportswriter and Editor at Making of Champions. She has a bias for Athletics and was previously a Sports Reporter at the National Mirror, where she hosted a weekly column ‘On the Track with Yemi Olus’ for over two years. A self-acclaimed ‘athletics junkie’, she has covered national and international events live, such as the African Athletics Championships, African Games, Olympics and World Athletics Championships. She also freelances for World Athletics.

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