Wenda Nel proved she was approaching her best shape just three weeks ahead of the Rio Olympics, taking third spot in the women’s 400m hurdles race at the Diamond League meeting in London on Friday evening.
The African champion clocked 54.47, just 0.10 outside her personal best set at last year’s World Championships in Beijing.
Dalilah Muhammad of the United States won the one-lap contest over the barriers in 53.90.
Another American athlete, Kendra Harrison, was the star performer on the opening day of the two-day competition, setting a world record of 12.20 (not yet ratified) in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Three SA athletes will turn out in the English capital on Saturday, with Stephen Mokoka (men’s 5 000m), LJ van Zyl (men’s 400m hurdles) and Carina Horn (women’s 100m) all included in the start lists.