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South African 400m champion Zakhithi Nene says 2025 has been his best season on the track, and he is determined to turn it into a dream year.
The 27-year-old advanced to the men’s 400m final at the World Senior Athletics Championships in Tokyo after winning his semi-final in a commanding time of 44.20 seconds.
The final will take place on Thursday at 3:10 pm SA time, with South African fans expecting him to win a medal.
Nene, who came into the championships as the fastest man in the event this year, has already gone further than ever before.
At past World Championships and Olympic Games, he never made it beyond the semi-finals, but this year he has broken new ground by reaching the final. Now, he has his sights firmly set on a first major individual medal.
“This is my best year by far, and I am really enjoying myself. I can feel it—I will win my first international medal, and the fact that I’m injury-free gives me even more confidence,” Nene told SABC Sport.
The KwaZulu-Natal-based athlete, who reclaimed his national title in April in the North West province, credits his success to staying healthy.
He chose to skip the Zurich Diamond League final last month due to a slight niggle, a decision he says was crucial. “I had a niggle, but now I feel healthy, and I think this is my year,” he said.
Earlier this season, Nene clocked a world-leading 43.76 seconds at the Absa Kip Keino Classic in Kenya, cementing his status as one of the athletes to watch in Tokyo.
His form suggests he could become the first South African since Wayde van Niekerk to win a global medal in the 400m.
With his speed, confidence, and fitness peaking at the right time, all eyes will be on Nene in Thursday’s final to see if he can deliver on his promise and secure a place on the podium against a formidable field.
Nene told SABC Sport that he knew it would be a long season and made sure to go into it fully prepared.
