Van Zyl ends fourth in poor conditions

Stockholm - Competing in cold, wet conditions in Stockholm, South African national record holder LJ van Zyl settled for fourth place in the men's 400m hurdles race at the eighth leg of the IAAF Diamond League series on Thursday evening.

The field was called back after a false start, with American Bershawn Jackson disqualified in lane eight, and none of the men in the line-up were able to hit top gear after they got going again.

Van Zyl, the only SA athlete taking part at the meeting, crossed the line in 50.21 seconds, with Olympic bronze medallist Javier Culson of Puerto Rico securing victory in 49.43.

Though he struggled to challenge for the win, Van Zyl remained in a tie for second place in the world rankings with his 48.67 Season's Best set in Ostrava last month.

He will form part of a 96-member SA team at the CAA 20th African Senior Championships in Durban on June 22-29.