Tokyo, Japan – Day 2 Recap
Team South Africa delivered a mixed bag of performances on the second day of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, with highlights including strong 400m displays and sprint progressions, balanced by narrow misses and tough lessons in other events.
Morning Session: Middle Distance and Hurdles
The day began on a positive note in the men’s 1500m heats. Tshepo Tshite rose to the occasion, securing 6th place in Heat 1 with a time of 3:36.36, enough to qualify for the highly anticipated final. His compatriot Ryan Mphahlele, however, found the going tough in Heat 3, finishing 13th in 3:45.22 and missing out on progression.
Attention then turned to the sprints, where Marione Fourie once again showcased her consistency. Clocking 12.86 in her 100m hurdles heat, she advanced confidently to the semifinals, maintaining her position as one of the continent’s most reliable sprint hurdlers.
Evening Session: 400m Strength and High Jump Frustration
South Africa’s men’s 400m duo made a statement. Lythe Pillay clocked a season’s best of 44.73 to place second in Heat 1, while Zakithi Nene lit up Heat 5 with a commanding win in 44.34, booking both athletes into the semifinals and underlining the country’s tradition of producing world-class one-lap runners.
In contrast, the field events proved less rewarding. Brian Raats struggled in the men’s high jump qualification, unable to register a clearance that would see him through to the final.
The women’s 400m heats brought further disappointment. Miranda Coetzee bowed out after her Heat 5 effort, while Shirly Nekhubui, back on track following her relay appearance on Day 1, crossed the line in 51.82 for 6th, also short of the semifinal mark.
Sprinters Push Through in 100m Semifinals
South Africa’s sprint hopefuls Akani Simbine and Gift Leotlela kept the flag flying in the men’s 100m semifinals. Running against some of the world’s best, Simbine placed third in his heat in 9.96 behind the USA’s Noah Lyles and Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi, while Leotlela matched him stride for stride in his own semifinal with 9.97. Both advanced as fastest non-automatic qualifiers, ensuring South Africa had two men in the final.
Distance Challenge and 100m Final Drama
In the men’s 10,000m final, national record holder Adriaan Wildschutt faced a blistering pace from the outset. He fought valiantly to secure a top-ten finish, crossing the line 10th in 28:59.47, reinforcing his status among the world’s elite distance runners.
The night concluded with the much-anticipated men’s 100m final. Drama unfolded as Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo was disqualified for a false start, leaving seven men on the line. The Jamaicans delivered a one-two punch, with Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake storming to gold and silver, while Noah Lyles of the USA claimed bronze. For South Africa, Leotlela finished a strong 5th, with Simbine taking 7th, Leotlela dipping under 10 seconds but just shy of the podium.
Looking Ahead: Day 3 Schedule
South Africa heads into Day 3 still chasing its first medal of the championships, with another packed schedule on the cards:
Morning Session
- Men’s Marathon – Elroy Gelant
- Women’s Pole Vault Qualification – Mire Reinstorf
- Women’s 400m Hurdles Heats – Zeney van der Walt, Rogail Joseph
Afternoon Session
- Men’s 400m Hurdles – Sabelo Dhlamini
- Men’s Long Jump Qualification – Cheswill Johnson
- Men’s 110m Hurdles Heats – Mondray Barnard, Antonie Alkana, John Adesola
- Women’s 100m Hurdles Semifinals – Marione Fourie
- Men’s 1500m Final – Tshepo Tshite
- Women’s 100m Hurdles Final – Marione Fourie (if qualified)
With Nene, Pillay, Simbine, Leotlela and Tshite still in contention, and Fourie eyeing the hurdles final, South Africa’s medal hopes remain alive heading into Day 3.
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
For More South African Athletics News: Record-Breaking Relay and Leotlela Spark Team SA in Tokyo
