Who's #1: A New Crop of 400m Stars Emerge in 2015

Who's #1: A New Crop of 400m Stars Emerge in 2015

Jul 6, 2015 by Meg Bellino
Who's #1: A New Crop of 400m Stars Emerge in 2015



Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa beats Kirani James of Grenada in the 400m at the July 4th Paris Diamond League

The Paris Diamond League on the Fourth of July did not disappoint. It was a great showing for the Americans, highlighted by Evan Jager’s new American record in the steeplechase, and 800m ladies Molly Beckwith-Ludlow and Chanelle Price setting new PBs, proving that American middle distance is more dominant than ever on the world stage. However something missing from the program was an American winning the men’s 400m, an event that, not long ago, was owned by the U.S. men. And with the current world-leader Kirani James losing in Paris (then losing his world lead the very next day to a potential new threat) it may be time to accept that fact that the U.S. may not be repeating their 1-2 performance from Moscow 2013 at the World Championships in Beijing.

The U.S. men own the top four marks in 400m history, with Michael Johnson’s 1999 world-record mark of 43.18 remaining untouchable for now nearly 16 years. They own eight of the top 10 marks all-time, and 15 of the top 20 marks all-time. Reigning World Champion LaShawn Merritt has been a member of the last four gold medal winning 4x400m relays at world championships, proving the depth of the Americans in this event has been unmatched.

But so far 2015 doesn’t feel like the typical American-winning ways, at least in the 400m.

South Africa’s Wayde Van Niekerk took down 2012 Olympic Champion Kirani James in the 400m in Paris. At 22-years-old, Van Niekerk and James are the same age, Van Niekerk is just coming on strong much later than James, who won gold in London at age 19. Van Niekerk’s winning time of 43.96 (to James’ 44.17) set a new African record and was just off of James’ current world-leading time of 43.74 set at the Pre Classic. But wait! There’s more!



The very next day, 28-year-old Isaac Makwala of Botswana broke Van Niekerk’s African record and James’ world-lead, running 43.72 at a meeting in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. It is the fastest time in the world since Jeremy Wariner’s 2007 mark of 43.45 and Makwala is now the fastest non-American in history, sitting at No. 5 on the world all-time list.


Botswana's Isaac Makwala ran the fifth-fastest 400m mark of all-time, a blistering 43.72

Makwala’s resume is intriguing. His 2012 400m best was 45.25. He lowered his PB in 2014, running 44.01, and now has a sub 44-second time to his name after Sunday’s performance. Does he have what it takes to win gold in Beijing? Not so fast.

Finishing second to Makwala was 18-year-old Abdalelah Haroun of Qater in 44.27, a new Asian record, and No. 2 on the world junior all-time list.

So who is looking like the favorite heading into Beijing? James is certainly more experienced through rounds, as is American LaShawn Merritt, the reigning world champion. Then there's U.S. Champion David Verburg, who finished third in Paris in 44.81. It’s too soon to tell if Van Niekerk and Makwala are here to take over 2015, but it’s certainly making for an interesting summer.