BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE LONDON STADIUM

World record holder Wayne Van Niekerk won his 400m heat in 45.27s.  Baboloki Thebe won his heat in 44.82s and Boniface Mweresa qualified as a fast loser from the same heat. Isaac Makwala won his heat comfortably in 44.55 and showed that he will be the main challenger to Van Niekerk. He said: “Everything is okay.  I know I am ready, but at the same time I take everything step by step. If I qualify for the final, then that is my focus. But until then it is step by step, always.

“Wayde van Niekerk is my brother. We want to conquer the world together and make the final for Africa. He is so friendly and a lovely guy.”

In the women’s 100 metres Murielle Ahoure, Blessing Okagbare and Marie-Josee Ta Lou all safely made it through to the semi finals. The favourite Elaine Thompson, Dafnee Schippers and Towrie Bowie also qualified. The semi-final and final will both take place tomorrow.

Ta Lou who won her heat said: “As you could see, I didn’t get the best start or a really really big start because this is something I am working on at the moment. Out there I was aiming to be top three, and I hope I can produce something better tomorrow in the semi-final.

“I’m not coming in here as the best, best athlete. I just want to keep improving and run like I am in a training session — relaxed.

“On the blocks, my heel was not comfortable and I was scared to false start, that is why I was slow out.”

In the men’s 800 metres Kipyegon Bett won his heat in 1:45:46.  Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich won his heat in 1:45:77. Emmanuel Korir also won his heat in 1:47.08, which meant that all the Kenyans were safely through to the next round. Nijel Amos who is the favourite to win following David Rudisha’s withdrawal due to injury, won his heat in 1:47:10.  Mohammed Aman came from behind to finish second in his heat in 1:45.81 to qualify for tomorrow’s semi final.

In the Women’s 1500m semi final Faith Kipyegon won the race in 4:03.54 while Caster Semenya came third in 4:03.80.  Genzebe Dibaba and Rababe Arafi both qualified as fast losers from this race.  In the second semi final, Malika Akkaoui came fifth and also made the final, which takes place on Monday.