Van Niekerk goes through in 200; Makwala doesn’t start Taylor reaches triple jump final
Wayde van Niekerk’s biggest rival in the 200 metres never even made the start line.
Isaac Makwala was supposed to run in Heat 5 of the first round at the world championships yesterday, but the Botswanan’s spot in Lane 7 remained empty.
No reason was given for Makwala’s no-show, but he and Van Niekerk have both also qualified for today’s final in the 400.
Van Kiekerk had earlier done his part in the third heat, keeping his quest for the 200-400 double going. And he spent as little effort as possible.
The South African even seemed ready to do British runner Daniel Talbot a favor by handing him a victory. He eased at the line and twice looked at the hard-charging Talbot, but Van Niekerk still ended up crossing the line .001 seconds in front.
Both Van Niekerk and Talbot were timed at 20.16 seconds.
Van Niekerk was smiling as he crossed the line, again showing the great form he is in at the championships. As defending champion, Olympic champion and worldrecord holder, Van Niekerk is favoured to get his first gold of this year’s worlds in the 400.
The IAAF said Makwala withdrew from the 200 metres “due to a medical condition on the instruction of the IAAF medical delegate.”
If Makwala had no medical reason to withdraw, he would have been ineligible to compete in today’s 400 final.
Makwala is considered to be the main challenger to Olympic champion and world-record holder Wayde van Niekerk.
Another multiple champion showing great form was Christian Taylor. The American needed only one attempt to show he is still the man to beat in the triple jump.
With the automatic qualifying standard set at 17 metres, Taylor hit 17.15 right away and reached Thursday’s final.
Another American, Chris Benard, also immediately qualified for the final with a mark of 17.20, while 18year-old Cuban Cristian Napoles jumped 17.06.
Wlodarczyk wins hammer gold
Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland is world champion for a third time. She finished on top in the women’s hammer final with a throw of 77.90m.
Second was Zheng Wang of China and Malwina Kopron made it two medals for Poland.
Betty Cuthbert
The IAAF paid tribute to Australian great Betty Cuthbert before the start of action at the world championships.
Cuthbert, the only runner to win Olympic gold medals in the 100, 200 and 400 metres, died following a long battle with multiple sclerosis. She was 79.
At the Olympic Stadium, the big screen showed pictures of Cuthbert in her prime and the public address announcer asked the crowd to stand for a minute’s silence.
The tribute took place moments after Tori Bowie, Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Dafne Schippers received their medals for the 100-metre dash.
Cuthbert won the 100 and 200 at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics when she was 18. After a short retirement following the 1960 Olympics, she returned and won the 400 at the 1964 Tokyo Games.