Dambile takes second place in the men’s 200m race at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne

Sinesipho Dambile continued to build on his superb form this season, taking second place in the men’s 200m race at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday night.

The recently crowned Commonwealth Games champion completed the men’s half-lap contest in 19.98 seconds in the Swiss city, dipping under 20 seconds for the fourth time this season.

He was just 0.11 behind Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, who won the race in 19.87.

“It’s my first time in Lausanne, and I really can’t complain. I had a lot of fun, especially considering I haven’t trained a lot since the Commonwealth Games, so I’m very happy to see myself progressing,” Dambile said.

“It’s important for me to inspire the youth back home and show them what’s possible, so I’ll keep on doing that. And now I’m really looking forward to and excited for the Diamond League final.”

It’s my first time in Lausanne, and I really can’t complain. I had a lot of fun, especially considering I haven’t trained a lot since the Commonwealth Games, so I’m very happy to see myself progressing

Dambile, who has finished on the podium at five Diamond League meetings this season, led the overall standings in the 200m event in the build-up to the series final to be held in Brussels, Belgium, next month.

Prudence Sekgodiso, the only other South African athlete who competed in Lausanne, took eighth position in the women’s 800m race in 1:59.58.

In-form Swiss athlete Audrey Werro secured victory in 1:55.33, setting a new meeting record in front of her parents and home crowd.

The 13th leg of the Diamond League series will be held in Silesia, Poland, on Sunday.

There will be three South Africans in action: 400m specialist Zakithi Nene and 100m sprinters Gift Leotlela and Akani Simbine.