By Daniel Nhakaniso
Zimbabwean quarter-miler Thandazani Ndhlovu overcame travel fatigue to make a dream start to his maiden European tour, storming to victory in the men’s 400m at the 5th Lucca International Meeting in Italy on Sunday.
Competing at the World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger event, Ndhlovu clocked an impressive 44.73 seconds to not only claim victory but also set a new meeting record and register the second sub-45-second performance of his career.
Ndhlovu was in a class of his own in Lucca as he comfortably beat home favourite Federico Falsetti, who finished second in 45.64, while South Africa’s Gardeo Isaacs claimed third in 46.01.
The performance underlined the rising star’s growing reputation on the international stage, with the time ranking as the third-fastest 400m ever run by a Zimbabwean.
Remarkably, Ndhlovu achieved the feat despite still adjusting to conditions after arriving in Italy just two days before the race.
“I wasn’t expecting a 44 today. I’m not feeling well. I arrived two days ago and I was expecting a 45.1 or 45 flat if it’s fast,” Ndhlovu said in a post-race interview.
The victory continues a breakthrough season for the Zimbabwean, who has established himself among the country’s leading one-lap runners and a key member of the national 4x400m relay team that recently qualified for next year’s World Athletics Championships.
With another sub-45-second performance under his belt and his first European victory secured, Ndhlovu has sent a strong message ahead of the major international championships later this season.