Zakithi Nene on missing the nationals ahead of the Simbine Classics

Nene was absent from the nationals due to a niggling injury, missing the chance to defend his title. 

He returned strongly in Nairobi, winning in 44.50 in his season opener. 

Today, however, he will compete in an unfamiliar 300m race in Tshwane.

"So, what happened is I had a niggling pain that I have been struggling with since I started training honestly. So, I was trying to push for World Indoors with my squad, so that allowed me to take a couple of weeks just to rebuild and yeah, that's the reason why I pulled out of nationals because my coach at that time didn't believe I was gonna be good enough to do runs and as we headed closer to the weeks, he asked me again 'Do you still wanna sit out nationals' and that's the decision that we made,” Nene said. 

“So, I'm happy to sit out and also I had other commitments as well as the Sports Awards were happening on the same weekend, so, yeah."

READ: SASCOC backs Rowing South Africa’s Sustainability fund

In his absence, close friend Lythe Pillay claimed the national title. 

Nene says he is proud of Pillay’s achievement and is looking forward to racing against him at the Simbine Classics.

"I am happy for the guy, he won the national title especially given the field that we have right now in the 400m, to be able to go ahead and keep a composure and win a national title is a good thing to do and yeah, I'm proud of him."