¶2015 WC m400: Wayde van Niekerk (SAf) 43.48 (WL) (4, 6 W)

[gh]

I'm expecting some sub-44 action in this one

T&FN chart

1. Kirani James (Grenada)
2. Wayde van Niekerk (South Africa)
3. LaShawn Merritt (US)
4. Isaac Makwala (Botswana)
5. Steven Gardiner (Bahamas)
6. Chris Brown (Bahamas)
7. David Verburg (US)
8. Youssef Al-Masrahi (Saudi Arabia)
9. Machel Cedenio (Trinidad)
10. Luguelín Santos (Dominican Rep)

[CPorts75]

I am looking forward to this race. I think only James and van Niekerk will go under 44, with Gardiner getting close. My G-S-B prediction is:

1 - van Niekerk, 43.88
2 - James, 43.92
3 - Gardiner, 44.07

[booond]

My guess is the rounds will affect Van Niekirk and Gardiner more than Merritt and James.

[BigNate]

I wouldn't be surprised if Merritt won the whole thing

[AFelixFan]

My medal predictions mirror T&FN's formchart. For me, the wildcard is van Niekerk. He could win or not medal; I wouldn't be terribly surprised with either outcome.

[DCSIGMA]

I wouldn't be surprised if Merritt won the whole thing

Me neither ... I think he will run sub 44

[t_monk]

I put Merritt where Gardener is and vice-versa.

Gold - James
Silver - Van Niekerk
Bronze - Gardener

[Atticus]

I'm feeling LM pulling on his experience to challenge James and just miss. Certainly VN is ready to medal.

[user4]

I am looking forward to this race. I think only James and van Niekerk will go under 44, with Gardiner getting close. My G-S-B prediction is:

1 - van Niekerk, 43.88
2 - James, 43.92
3 - Gardiner, 44.07

I really hope you are right... just want to see the South African medal with an NR/PR.

[gcheves]

I am looking forward to this race. I think only James and van Niekerk will go under 44, with Gardiner getting close. My G-S-B prediction is:

1 - van Niekerk, 43.88
2 - James, 43.92
3 - Gardiner, 44.07

If Van Niekerk is going under 44 then why not LaShawn Merritt? Merritt's 300 in Atlanta was faster than Van Niekerk's 300 this year. Merritt has more experience with managing the rounds and winning than anyone in the field

[t_monk]

Merritt's problem isn't the first 300 in the races I have seen.... It's his last 100 of the 400. He seem to be lacking there from what I have seen. Merritt will undoubtedly run a SB I think... Not sure if that's enough for a sub-44 though.

[betterthanb4]

Its starting fast for sure.

Heat 1 Good run from Verberg easing up the last couple of meters. Cedenio powers through the last 30m as usual.

1 Verburgh 44.43 Q
2 Cedenio 44.53 Q
3 Jonathan BORLÉE 44.67 Q SB





**Solid run by Jamaican Peter Matthews in 44.69 PB in fourth. **

[betterthanb4]

Heat 2 What's going on? Sub 44!!

[einnod23]

44.43 out the heats! DAMN!

[lexvid]

WTF!!? These times are insanely fast...