Wayde van Niekerk kept his medal hopes alive on Tuesday night, progressing safely through to the men's 400m final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Van Niekerk, a two-time world champion, finished third in his semifinal in 44.65 seconds, which was sufficient to qualify on time for the medal battle to be contested on Thursday. 

The world record holder was sixth fastest in the penultimate round, with Jamaican athlete Antonio Watson setting the quickest time (44.13). 

Though he did well to reach the second round, former South African champion Zakithi Nene ended sixth in his one-lap semifinal in 45.64 and he was unable to secure a lane in the final.

Taking another step forward in what has already been a superb season, Marione Fourie finished third in her first round heat in the women's 100m hurdles. 

She crossed the line in 12.71, keeping her World Championships campaign alive by reaching the semifinals. 

Her compatriot, Taylon Bieldt, took seventh place in her 100m hurdles heat in 13.05 and did not progress. 

Another hurdler, Zeney van der Walt, finished eighth in 55.49 in her 400m hurdles semifinal. 

Though she struggled to put up a fight in her last race of the showpiece, Van der Walt closed out a tough three-day schedule after reaching the second round in both the 400m hurdles and flat 400m sprint.

Schedule of SA athletes, Day 5 (Wednesday, 23 August):

Morning session: 

10.05am - 800m women, heats (Prudence Sekgodiso) 

10.15am - pole vault qualification, men (Kyle Rademeyer) 

10.20am/11.55am - javelin throw qualification, women (Jo-Ane van Dyk) 

11.15am - long jump qualification, men (Cheswill Johnson) 

12.50am - 200m heats, men (Shaun Maswanganyi, Luxolo Adams, Sinesipho Dambile). 

Evening session: 

8.40pm - 100m hurdles semifinals, women (Marione Fourie).

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About Athletics South Africa:
Athletics South Africa (ASA) is the national governing body for the sport of athletics (including Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking) in South Africa, is a member of World Athletics  and the Confederation of African Athletics.  The association was formed in 1995 and is based in Johannesburg. 

ENDS