Ballito’s 400m Olympian Zakithi Nene prepares to race in Tokyo

Ballito resident and 400m running star Zakithi Nene has reached Tokyo and is ready to live out his Olympic dream.

Zakithi is the current South African senior champion and is hoping to add to his trophy cabinet while competing in both the individual 400m and 4x400m races over the next week.

Zakithi previously thought that he would only be racing in the relay event, but he was able to qualify for the individual race by virtue of his ranking.

He arrived in Tokyo on July 22, giving him plenty of time to acclimatise to the time changes and get his body ready for his first race this Sunday, August 1.

“I have been having a little bit of difficulty sleeping over the past few days but my body is starting to feel right and training is going well,” he said.

He has continued the same training regimen honed with local coach, Victor Vaz and has focused on getting consistent speeds in preparation for the upcoming races.

For many, reaching the Olympic Village is the ultimate dream, being able to interact with the best athletes in a number of disciplines.

Zakithi has remained humble but admits the atmosphere in the village has been electric.

“You get to see so many athletes roaming around, a lot of your role models and some Olympic champions. Everyone is in their own space right now, getting into the competition mode, but it has been a really nice feeling.”

Although he will forever be an Olympian, Zakithi says the feeling has not really hit home yet.

“I think I am just waiting on my lane draws and once I know that then it will finally kick in that… yes, I am here. I am an Olympian.”

While in Tokyo, Zakithi is putting his full support behind team SA and says he is particularly excited to watch Akani Simbine in the 100m sprint.

Team South Africa had 2 silver medals at the time of going to print, with Tatjana Schoenmaker in the 100m breaststroke and Bianca Buitendag in surfing, both on July 27.

Zakithi and the 4x400m team will be hoping to add to that, with a strong group of runners who regularly run around the 45 second mark, including world record holder Wayde van Niekerk.

Although lane draws have not yet been released, individual 400m heats begin at 3.45am on August 1, with 4x400m heats starting at 1.25pm on August 6.

Zakithi Nene who's speciality is the 400m will be flying the SA flag high at the @Olympics in Tokyo.

Congratulations to you Nene and keep flying our #Purple flag proud in Tokyo.#PurplePride #PurplePassion #PurplePower #MyNWU #NWUEagles #NWUAthletics #Olympics pic.twitter.com/p38v1ETFCU

— NWU Sports (@nwusports1) July 13, 2021