World champion Van Niekerk set for Rome Diamond League 400m

World 400m Champion Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa will contest in his first Diamond League meet this year in Rome on Thursday, 2 June.

The 4th fastest quarter miler in history (43.48), Van Niekerk, had a superb opening part of his 2016 season as he managed to break 10 seconds to set a his personal best time in 100m of 9.98 in April. The South African track star is the  he only man in history to run sub 10 in 100m, to break  20 seconds in 200m and go under 44 seconds in 400m. 

In Rome on Thursday, Van Niekerk will face Isaac Makwala (BOT) the former African record holder with PB of 43.72 seconds. Also a very strong opponent will be Bralon Taplin of Grenada, who set a new personal best of 44.41 seconds in April.  

Van Niekerk set his season's best of  44.11 seconds in 400m  when he cruised to a comfortable win in heats on May 6 at the SA Open. 

Full Entry lists Rome Diamond League here.