Runner believes ploy could do wonders in final

IS WAYDE van Niekerk really struggling to hold his lead coming off the bend? Don’t believe a word of it. The 2017 edition of Van Niekerk is no longer the same sprinter who won the world title two years ago or even the one who took the Olympic crown.

Already the influence of Usain Bolt is patently clear on South Africa’s top track and field athlete at the world championships in London.

In the first two rounds of the 400m Van Niekerk emulated the dethroned Jamaican superstar by eyeballing his rivals on the home straight.

They’re flailing in lactic pain, trying to reach the nirvana of the finish line what seems a lifetime away, and suddenly this machine of flesh and bone is looking around like he’s on safari.

Well, he is in a way – he is pysching out his prey before they even get to the final.

That’s a ploy Bolt has used many times during his illustrious career, most recently with less success in the 100m semifinals when he eyeballed new US hero Christian Coleman. It’s normally worked. But what has been more curious is Van Niekerk’s race strategy in his last three outings – in every case he has come off the bend in second place.

That’s highly unusual for the SA rocket, owner of the 43.03sec world record as well as the Olympic and world crowns.

He has no equal, but three times in