Zakithi Nene was a big winner at the the fifth Diamond League event of the year in Stockholm on Sunday. The Team SA Olympian confirmed his status as the best 400m in the world for 2026 when he won the one-lap race in 44.48sec, which was ahead of Jacory Patterson (USA) in 33.69 and Jerome Richards (T&T) in 44.87.
The other two South Africans in action were Sinesipho Dambile (200m) who finished second in 20.10 to the USA sprinter Kenny Bednarek (19.87). Prudence Sekgodiso came home fifth behind the sensational Swiss athlete Audrey Werro in the women’s 800m. Sekgodiso stopped the clock at 1:57.70.
The standout performer of the meeting was Werro in the women’s 800m, running 1:53.98 to defeat Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson and become the third-fastest woman in history over the distance. Cooper Lutkenhaus followed with a history-making performance of his own, winning the men’s 800m in 1:42.70 at just 17 years old to become the youngest Diamond League winner ever.
Sprint victories went to Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the women’s 100m, Nene in the men’s 400m, and Kenny Bednarek in the men’s 200m. Hilary Kpatcha claimed the women’s long jump title, while Valarie Allman and Audrey Werro continued their strong Diamond League campaigns with additional victories.
LATEST STANDINGS (After 5 rounds)
Men
100m: Gift Leotlela (2nd), Akani Simbine (5th)
200m: Sinesipho Dambile (2nd)
400m: Zakithi Nene (1st)
Women
800m: Prudence Sekgodiso (5th)
100m H: Marione Fourie (10th)