South Africa secured a podium finish on the final day of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, taking bronze in the 4x400m relay.
After a tough championship, where sprinter Akani Simbine, a favorite in the 100m, failed to medal, the 4x400m relay was South Africa’s last chance to earn a medal. The Olympic silver medalist in the men’s 400m, Wayde van Niekerk, also missed out on the final, further diminishing the nation’s hopes.
This left the South African team with just one opportunity to claim a medal at the Championships their first since 2017.
The relay team, consisting of Zakithi Nene, Wayde van Niekerk, Udeme Okon, and LJ van Zyl, battled through a tight race. Botswana clinched the gold after overtaking both the USA and South Africa, while the USA took silver and South Africa secured a hard-earned bronze.
This was the only podium finish for South Africa in the entire competition.