Zakithi Nene anchored South Africa to a sensational second gold medal victory in the men’s 4x400m relay at the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 in China. Nene’s blistering 43.64-second anchor leg sealed the win in style, as South Africa clocked a world-leading time of 2:57.50.
The South African quartet, comprising Gadwin Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer, and Zakithi Nene, executed a near-flawless performance from start to finish. Isaacs got the team off to a solid start with a strong 45.39-second opening leg, handing over to Okon, who upped the pace with a sharp 44.24. Koekemoer maintained the pressure in the third leg with a 44.23. Then came Zakithi Nene’s unforgettable anchor leg, an astonishing 43.64 seconds.
Belgium mounted a commendable challenge, clocking a season-best time of 2:58.19 to claim silver, while Botswana secured the bronze medal with a strong 2:58.27, also a season’s best for their squad. France and Kenya fought valiantly to round off the top five, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
South Africa’s world-leading time of 2:57.50 etched them as the seventh-fastest team ever in the 4x400m relay. This victory signals their ambition to challenge the US’s 2:54.29 world record from 1993.
The top 14 nations per relay at World Relays qualified for the World Championships set for 13–21 September 2025 in Tokyo. The last two World Championships spots in each relay will be awarded later this summer based on world rankings.
