South Africa Battles Hard on Day 5 at World Athletics Championships

Tokyo, Japan – Day 5 Recap and Day 6 Preview

Team South Africa continued its spirited campaign at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, with a mix of encouraging performances and near-misses on Day 5. From the javelin sector to the blue-riband track events, the squad once again demonstrated resilience on the global stage, while anticipation now builds for a blockbuster Day 6 that could define South Africa’s championship.

Day 5 Review: Near Misses and Fighting Finishes

The morning session began with the men’s javelin qualification, where Douw Smit took to the runway in Group B. His throw of 81.23m was a strong effort, placing him eighth in his group, but just shy of the overall top 12 needed for a spot in the final. It was a valiant showing from the young thrower against a world-class field.

Attention then shifted to the men’s 200m heats, where South Africa fielded three sprinters. Wade van Niekerk, returning to one of his secondary disciplines, looked sharp in Heat 1, clocking 20.19s for second place to book an automatic spot in the semifinals. Sinesipho Dambile, despite the nerves of a false start warning, showed composure in Heat 3 to finish third in 20.27s, also progressing. For Naeem Jack, the competition proved unforgiving—his time of 20.65s for fifth in Heat 5 was impressive but not enough to advance.

In the evening session, Zenéy van der Walt contested the women’s 400m hurdles semifinals. Running in Heat 3, she produced a time of 55.06s, finishing seventh and missing out on a place in the final. Nevertheless, her progression to the semifinal stage underscored her consistency on the international circuit.

The night concluded with the highly anticipated men’s 1500m final, where Tshepo Tshite lined up among the best in the world. In one of the fastest and most tactical races of recent championships, Tshite delivered a determined run to finish ninth in 3:35.50. Portugal’s Isaac Nader surged to a historic gold—his country’s first-ever medal in the event—after an electrifying sprint finish.

Day 6 Preview: Big Names, Big Stakes

Day 6 promises to be a pivotal one for South Africa, headlined by a championship final that could deliver the nation’s biggest moment of the meet.

The action starts on the track with the women’s 800m heats, where South Africa fields two contenders. Charné du Plessis, fresh off strong performances at the World University Games earlier this year, lines up in Heat 6. Soon after, reigning World Indoor Champion Prudence Sekgodiso will take her place in Heat 7, bringing pedigree and momentum into the qualification rounds. Both will aim for automatic semifinal berths, with the top three in each heat advancing, alongside the next fastest qualifiers.

The night will close with one of the most eagerly awaited races of the Championships—the men’s 400m final. Zakithi Nene, who impressed with a controlled semifinal victory on Day 4, will contest lane 7 in what is billed as a thrilling showdown. The final features a remarkable African presence, with Nene joined by three athletes from Botswana, promising a race of continental pride and global impact.

Looking Ahead

As Day 6 unfolds, all eyes will be on Nene’s pursuit of a medal in the 400m—a race that could mark a defining chapter in South Africa’s Tokyo campaign. With Sekgodiso and du Plessis chasing progression in the 800m, and Van Niekerk and Dambile fighting for 200m final places, Team South Africa has multiple opportunities to shine on one of athletics’ grandest stages.