Just 24 hours after Nijel Amos had Batswana reeling with heartbreak following his 800m loss, his countryman, Isaac Makwala sent the nation into dreamland with a perfect semi-final win which propelled him to the World Championships 400m finals.
The African 400m record holder finished first in the second semi-final with a time of 44.11. Makwala started the race in unfavourable lane nine, but his powerful start and being resolute throughout the entire race was enough to hand him top spot.
Before the gun went, Makwala pointed downwards in what was interpreted as a message to say he is in Beijing to stay. Indeed, he kept his promise and after the race Makwala got down to the track to perform some push-ups to show his opponents that he was pumped up for the final. Makwala’s breakthrough came less than a day after Amos failed to qualify for the 800m finals. All hopes will be on Makwala now that Amos is out, but he will face tough competition in the final.
Standing between Makwala and the gold medal is the Grenadian sprinter and current Olympic champion Kirani James, who easily qualified for the finals in the first semi-finals with a time of 44.11.
Though Makwala recorded the best time in the semis, James will be at his best to defend the title he won four years ago.
Another possible threat to Makwala in the final is South African ace Wayde van Niekerk who broke Makwala’s African record a few mouths ago. Even though Makwala reclaimed his record a day later, Niekerk would pose a threat because he also finished first in the third semi-final. The final on Wednesday will be mouthwatering as retired American sprinter Michael Johnson’s all time world record of 43.18 might be tested for the first time.
