By Razeen Gutta
Despite some personal best runs, there would be no final qualification for Team South Africa’s men or women in their 400 metre semi-finals on Tuesday.
Zakithi Nene finished sixth while Lythe Pillay was eighth in the men’s 400 metre semi-finals, as the pair both missed out on a place in the final.
In the semis of the women’s 400 metre hurdles, Zeney Geldenhuys ran a personal best of 53.90 in lane eight to finish in third place.
In lane five of the other semi-final, Rogail Joseph also claimed third place; as she, too, ran a personal best of 54.12.
Both women were unlucky to miss out on places in the final by the narrowest of margins, though, as Shiann Salmon of Jamaica and Savannah Sutherland from Canada made it through as the best non-authomatic qualifiers.
In another blow for Team SA, sprinter Benjamin Richardson had to withdraw from the Games after sustaining a hamstring injury in the men’s 200 metre heets.
The injury is likely to heavily impact South Africa’s 4×100 metre relay hopes, with Richardson a crucial part of the team that also features Akani Simbine, Wayde van Niekerk, and Shaun Maswanganyi.
Earlier in the day, Miranda Coetzee made the semi-final of the 400 metre repechage with a personal best of 50.66. That race will kick off at 20:45 on Wednesday.
Pictured above: Lythe Pillay
Source: @officialteamrsa
Full Story Source: Difficult day for SA runners
