"I can dip under 44 seconds" - Nene exceeds his expectations with strong season opener in Kenya

After winning his season opener in Kenya in an impressive 44:50, South African 400m ace Zakithi Nene is confident that he will be able to maintain his form throughout the year. Recovering from a slow start at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Friday night (24 April), the 2025 KwaZulu-Natal Sportsman of the year, ran an excellent second half and showed strength in the home straight to hold off Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga (44:55) and Kelvin Kiprotich Tanui of Kenya (44:95). 

Nene on the way to defending his Kip Keino Classic 400m title in Nairobi. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Speaking to #TheTopRunner after his performance in the Kenyan capital, Nene, who hails from the KZN town of Ladysmith, expressed satisfaction with the race adding that he performed beyond his expectations. "I feel good good with the time I ran on Friday. I didn't expect such performance since it was my season opener. I actually made quite a few mistakes so to run 44:50 is good," he explained.

"It means there are some areas I need to work on. I still need to sharp en up and polish my race preparation. It was very close race in the end. Securing the win was more of mental battle," said the 28-year-old Nene who successfully defended the title he won in the Kenyan capital a year ago. 

Nene holds off Samukonga's challenge in the home straight to win 44.50. Photo Credit: Absa Kenya.

Nene, a member of Team SA that won the Bronze medal in the 4x400m World Championship last year, is now optimistic about continuing this momentum a week before the World Relays get underway in Gaborone. Before travelling to Botswana, the man who is coached by Victor Vaz is expected to face stiff competition from the likes of Lythe Pillay, Samukonga, and Leendret Koekemoer in the 300m at the Simbine Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Label event at the Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane.

"I don't feel any pressure to deliver in front of my home crowd. I just want to put on a good show. I'm looking forward what I can do over 300m. Its exciting! For now, I would like to build on the momentum and go out there and run some good times. To run 44:50 early in the season, shows that I can dip under 44 seconds," he concluded.