We look at the main contenders for the IAAF World Championships Men’s 200M final race.
The IAAF World Championships Men’s 200M final is scheduled to take place on Thursday the 10th of August at 21:55 in London 2017.
Wayde Van Niekerk
On Wednesday the 8th of August, favourite, Wayde Van Niekerk had to dig deep in order to qualify for the 200M final, as he finished third in his semi final race at a time of 20.28. The South African will be aiming to win a double following his 400M triumph, his eyes are now set on the 200M event. If van Niekerk wins, he’ll match Michael Johnson’s double when he won the 200M and 400M titles back in 1995.
Isaac Makwala
Makwala has been surrounded by controversy after he was infected with acute gastro enteritis, a sickness that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. A formal letter was sent from the IAAF to Makwala and any affected athletes to be quarantined for 48 hours. Makwala, unfortunately, had to drop out of the 400M final race.
He’s now been cleared medically fit for his 200M event following a time trial test where he clocked 20.28. In his semi-final, he placed second with a time of 20.14. Makwala will aim to win this race in order to silence any critics and to make amends for his non-inclusion in the 400M final. If he wins, that will raise the question of whether or not he could have beaten van Niekerk in the 400M race as well?
Jereem Richards
The 23-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago, impressed in heats with a blistering 19.97 time, Richards marched through his semi final with a win of 20.14. The youngster is set to challenge the two headliners of Wayde Van Niekerk and Isaac Makwala.
Verdict: Wayde Van Niekerk
After showing great class at winning the 400m and timing his runs well, Wayde stands a great chance at completing his double this year. He’s reserved most of his optimum energy levels for this race and looks certain to be etched into history. His main competitor will be looking to cause an upset, Isaac Makwala.
Startlist
|
Athlete
|
Country
|
Season Best
|
Personal Best
|
|
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake
|
GBR
|
20.04
|
19.95
|
|
Wayde Van Niekerk
|
South Africa
|
19.84
|
19.84
|
|
Isiah Young
|
USA
|
20.14
|
19.86
|
|
Ramil Guliyev
|
Turkey
|
20.08
|
19.88
|
|
Isaac Makwala
|
Botswana
|
19.77
|
19.77
|
|
Jereem Richards
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
19.97
|
19.97
|
|
Abdul Hakim Sani Brown
|
Japan
|
20.32
|
20.32
|
|
Ameer Webb
|
USA
|
20.09
|
19.85
|
Final Current Betting Odds
|
Athlete
|
Country
|
Odds
|
|
Jereem Richards
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
5/4
|
|
Wayde Van Niekerk
|
South Africa
|
2/1
|
|
Isaac Makwala
|
Botswana
|
11/4
|
|
Ramil Guliyev
|
Turkey
|
10/1
|
|
Isiah Young
|
USA
|
16/1
|
|
Ameer Webb
|
USA
|
33/1
|
|
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake
|
GBR
|
50/1
|
|
Abdul Hakim Sani Brown
|
Japan
|
100/1
|
*Race to be televised at 22:50 local time.
Written by Lungelo Mdladla for @Hollywoodbets.net
