Botswana's Bayapo Ndori, Busang Kebinatshipi Make 400m Final as Mathew Hudson-Smith, Vernon Norwood Are Eliminated

Matthew Hudson-Smith, after sneaking into the semifinal of the men's 400m, was looking to make an impact in the semifinal and comfortably make the final at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.

Vernon Norwood, Team USA's captain, also in the mix, was out to extend his hot streak after comfortably taking in second in the heats. Zakithi Nene of South Africa claimed the win.

Others who were lining up, having declared their clear intentions in the heats, included Jereem Richards, Bayapo Ndori, Kirani James, Charles Dobson, and Muzala Samukonga.

According to World Athletics, the first two of each heat have a guaranteed spot in the final, with the next two fastest to cross the finish line after qualify for the final as non-automatic qualifiers.

The men's 400m started with a scare, with cameras focusing on Zakithi Nene, who had seemingly caused a faulty start, but an official raised the green card, allowing for the race to proceed.

The South African went off pretty hard and maintained his momentum to cross the finish line first in 44.20 seconds, showing that the earlier drama did not stop him.

Botswana's Lee Eppie held on for a second-place finish in 44.51 seconds, automatically qualifying for the final. Reece Holder pushed hard but could only finish third in 44.63 seconds.

The second heat included Charles Dobson, Jereem Richards and Rusheen McDonaldo looking to make a statement. Charles Dobson was off to a great start, but he struggled to maintain that form.

A huge surprise in the heat saw Botswana's Busang Kebinatshipi, an underdog, looking comfortable in the inside lane. He clocked a dreadful world leading time of 43.61 seconds to automatically qualify for the final.

Rusheen McDonald, the Jamaican, held onto second place, timing 44.04 seconds, as Jereem Richards, a huge favourite to win, settled for third in 44.12 seconds. Charles Dobson faded to seventh place in the race, as American Jacory Patterson finished fourth in the tight race.

In the final heat of the men's 400m semis, Bayapo Ndori stunned a loaded field to claim the win in 44.21 seconds. Yuki Nakajima, competing on home soil, finished second to directly qualify for the final.

Zambia's Muzala Samukonga was treated to a rude shock, fading to third in 44.60 seconds with two-time Olympic champion Vernon Norwood and Mathew Hudson-Smith failing to make the final after finishing fifth and sixth, respectively.