29 Jun 2026

Wayde van Niekerk’s legendary 43.03-second world record, which has stood unchallenged since the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, is officially under serious threat.

 

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pectators witness some of the early signs during the Rome Diamond League Meeting when Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi rounded the final bend of the men’s 400-meter final.

Currently sitting comfortably in the all-time top 10 history lists, the 400 metres World Champion’s staggering consistency suggest that further historic record rewrites are well within his reach this season.

In his second circuit appearance of the campaign, the 22-year-old speed sensation delivered a master class in an aggressive, technically flawless quarter-mile running.

Pacing his backstretch to perfection, Kebinatshipi unleashed a kick that left an elite, world-class field chasing his shadow down the home straight.

When he crossed the finish line, the stadium electronic scoreboards lit up with a staggering, historic time: 43.54 seconds.

The performance did more than just secure a breathtaking victory; it instantly rewrote the athletics record books.

In a single, brilliant burst of speed, the reigning Botswana ace runner, established a new Diamond League Record, shattered the Paris Meeting Record.

Behind the flawless execution on the track lay a deep sense of confidence and meticulous pre-race preparation.

Kebinatshipi said he had specifically targeted the history books before even stepping onto the track.

“It was a good race. The atmosphere in the stadium is amazing, I just wanted to come in and do my best, It is a Diamond League Record, actually, I looked up the meeting record which was my goal and now I even went faster,” he said.

The performance was testament to the synergy between athlete and coach, signaling a dominant era ahead for the young sprinter.

“I executed the race exactly as I had discussed with my coach; I always say that this is my season, so I enjoy every race,” he said

By maximising his points in Paris, Kebinatshipi has fortified his position at the top of the global standings, charting a clear, golden path toward the upcoming championship finals.

Meanwhile, in 800 metres women event, running from lane four, Oratile Nowe, the 25-year-old national record holder, crossed the line in 1:57.46 to lock down a hard-fought seventh-place finish.

Building on her impressive momentum from an earlier performance at the Doha Diamond League, Nowe’s continuous international campaign keeps her firmly in contention for a coveted spot in the Diamond League final later this year, proving that Botswana’s middle-distance running remains in elite hands.

In Poland, Botswana’s Prince Selepe shattered the 200 metres Meeting Record, as he won his race with a time of 20.19 during the CzesÅ‚aw Cybulski Memorial in PoznaÅ„, World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting. ends