Wenda Nel had an excellent confidence booster today before the start of her Commonwealth Games campaign when she won the 400m-hurdles in a time of 55.01s at a meeting in Queensland.

Janieve Russel (Jamaica) was second in 55.10s and Meghan Beesley (England) third in 56.45s. 

The Tuks-athlete said that she had no real expectations for the race as her body was still recovering from the long hours of travelling. 

“It was quite windy when we raced. I did not have the best of starts. The other athletes set off at a fast pace. I did not let that get to me and just kept running at my own pace. I started to catch up and pass my rivals one by one from the seventh hurdle. At the tenth hurdle, I drew level with Russel and then manage to outsprint her to the line. I was surprised how good I felt afterwards.”

Nel was especially pleased with how she was able to execute her pace-rhythm throughout her race. According to her, it was one of her better performances.

The Tuks-athlete will start competing at the Games from 10 April. 

“I am not sure how many races we are going to have because it seems there might not be enough entries for heats, semi-finals and the final. We might just do a heat/semi-final and the final.”

Nel currently holds the world leading time in the 400m-hurdles having run 54.96s.