The USA’s LaShawn Merritt who was the runner up to Van Nierkerk at the World Championships in Beijing a week ago edged a thrilling finish and got some revenge for last week.

Merritt won in 44.18 seconds which is 0.10 seconds ahead of Grenada's Olympic champion Kirani James who claimed bronze in Beijing.

Van Niekerk left his attack on the finish line just too late and took the bronze in a time of 44.35 seconds, which is nearly a full second slower than his South African and African record set last week.

James' silver was enough for him to win the 2015 Diamond League season title.

Following the race Van Nierkerk said Merritt and James were just too fast.

“It was tough, by legs were very tired. I tried fighting the last hundred but the guys were just too fast.

Speaking about his lactic acid which saw him collapse after winning his world title, Van Niekerk said it will get better in time.

“Hopefully things will be better, but I’m sure as I improve as an athlete it will get better, but I know it will be time.

Next up for Van Nierkerk will be the Brussels leg of the Diamond League where he will go head-to-head with the world’s greatest sprinter, Usain Bolt of Jamaica and South African record holder, Anaso Jobodwana in the 200m sprint.

Morgan Piek / OFM News