Leendert Koekemoer claimed bronze in the men’s 400m final at the World Athletics U20 Championships, clocking 44.96 to become a world U20 medallist in Eugene, Oregon.
American Jayden Deleon produced a stunning comeback to win gold in a championship record 44.47, overhauling both Koekemoer and Olympic medallist Quincy Wilson in the closing metres. Wilson took silver in a season’s best 44.62.
Leendert Koekemoer led off the final bend before fading in the home straight, holding on for third as Deleon and Wilson surged past him.
It capped a big week for the South African, who won his semifinal heat in 45.18 on Thursday and opened with a 45.75 heat win in round one — his third-fastest time overall at that stage, just 0.01 off Wilson’s pace.
Leendert Koekemoer arrived in Oregon as the first South African U20 athlete to break 45 seconds for the 400m, having lowered his national U20 record to 44.94 at the SuperSport Simbine Classic in April.
The 19-year-old already holds a senior World Championships medal, too. Leendert Koekemoer ran in the heats of the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, helping South Africa reach a final the team went on to win bronze in.
Compatriot Kryn Romijn also made the final, finishing seventh in 46.16.
Medal Table:
🥇 Jayden Deleon (USA) — 44.47 (CR)
🥈 Quincy Wilson (USA) — 44.62 (SB)
🥉 Leendert Koekemoer (RSA) — 44.96
⸻
🗣️ “One race away turned into a bronze medal — Leendert Koekemoer just put South Africa on the World U20 podium!” – 🎙️Jay
⸻
Deleon’s late surge stole the gold, but Koekemoer leaves Eugene a world U20 medallist at 19, with plenty more races ahead of him.
📸 Images via World Athletics
