Van Niekerk: This is my fastest run in 7 years and 44.0 shows that 43 seconds is possible

World 400m record holder, Wayde van Niekerk ran a new 44.08 personal season’s best to win the 400m event at the Diamond League meeting in Silesia, Poland as he continues in his bid to return to the 43 seconds form that gave him the 43.03 world record on his way to winning the Olympic gold in 2016 in Brazil.

Botswana’s Ndori Bayapo came second (44.61) while 400m barrier runner, Dos Santos Alison of Brazil continued his comeback from injury to run 44.73, a personal season’s best for third place.

The 31 year old South African has now recorded his fifth straight win over the distance with the last two coming in Diamond League meetings in Oslo (44.38) and Silesia (44.08) and he feels he is right on course to win his fourth 400m title in four attempts following wins in 2015 and 2017 and a fifth place finish in 2022.

Van Niekerk’s 48.08 is the fastest he has ran since 2017 when he ran a 43.62 personal season’s best at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne.

‘It is my fastest run in seven years and 44.0 shows that 43 seconds is possible,’ began the two-time world champion after the race.

‘Things are moving in a positive direction. I have been able to train consistently. It is my fastest run in 7 years and 44.0 shows that 43 seconds is possible.

‘The competition in my event is getting stronger, so I need to work to get better as well. I do not feel any special pressure, but it is natural for an athlete to want to reach their best possible level.

‘I will be going on to London now and then want to get some good training sessions before the World Championships.

‘The weather today is beautiful and the atmosphere is lovely, there is great support, not only for the local athletes.’