In an event where none of the Paris Olympic medalists made the final, the men’s 400m turned out to be the very definition of a wide-open contest.
Collen Kebinatshipi entered as the standout favourite after storming to a World Lead and National Record of 43.61s in the semifinals. His closest challenger was South Africa’s Zakithi Nene, the former World Leader at 43.76s, who also looked sharp in qualifying.
Just like the men’s 100m final, Africa fielded four athletes—three from Botswana and one from South Africa. The race got off to a fast start, but it was Kebinatshipi who seized control after the opening 200m, holding off a late surge from Trinidad & Tobago’s Jereem Richards, who was making up serious ground from the inside lane.
The Motswana lowered his World Lead (WL) and National Record (NR) yet again, stopping the clock at a sensational 43.53s to secure the crown and become the first man from his country to win a World Championship GOLD in history. Richards also produced a lifetime best and NR of 43.72s for Silver.
Bayapo Ndori made it a second medal for Botswana, holding off Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald for Bronze in a Season’s Best 44.20s to 44.28s. Nene faded to 5th in 44.55s, while Botswana’s Bhekempilo Eppie placed 8th in 44.77s.
Kebinatshipi now becomes the first African since Wayde van Niekerk to win the men’s 400m global title since 2017.
