Isaac Makwala has booked his place in the semi-final of the 200metres at the World Athletics Championship with a time of 20.20seconds.
The athlete had no option but to make the solo run after being barred from the initial qualifying race after contracting norovirus.
Makwala was prevented from running in Monday’s opening 200m heat and Tuesday’s 400m final after falling victim to an outbreak of sickness that has hit scores of competitors.
Isaac Makwala has booked his place in the semi-final of the 200m with a time of 20.20s
The Botswanan pounded down the soaked London Stadium track solo, remaining in his lane
The sprinter cruised over the line with an impressive time as the crowds roared him on
The 30-year-old, seen as a leading contender in both events, had insisted he was fit enough to race while the sport’s world governing body had said he had an infectious disease and needed to be quarantined.
But on Wednesday the IAAF said the quarantine period had ended and Makwala could run in the semi-finals in the evening – provided he first achieved the qualifying time of 20.53 seconds in an individual time trial before the main session.
Although he was forced to run in much worse conditions than the competitors had in the first round two days ago with the rain teeming down in the London Stadium for much of Wednesday, Makwala sped round the wet track on his own in 20.20 seconds.
The Botswana athlete lined up on the track alone, setting off with a commanding pace while working hard to ensure he did not overstep his lane.
With constant rain lashing down at the London Stadium conditions were not ideal, though this did not deter Makwala from heading down the track at blistering pace.
The 30-year-old looked to be in prime condition despite his recent illness
After registering a qualifying time of 20.20secs Makwala dropped straight into push-ups
The crowd reacted spectacularly to Makwala’s gesture after he booked his place in the final
After heading over the finishing line, the Botswana star dropped to the track and immediately started doing push-ups, a sign to many of the onlookers that he considers his fitness to be in the highest order.
Wayde van Niekerk, Makwala’s rival for gold, watched in a rest zone and applauded his performance.
The main event will take place later on Wednesday evening.
Source: Dailymail
