Middle-distance runner Tshepo Tshite ran the race of his life on Friday night, obliterating the 12-year-old South African 1 500m record at the Diamond League meeting in Paris.
Tshite finished ninth in 3:31.35, shattering his personal best of 3:32.03 which he set at the Cape Milers ASA Grand Prix meeting in Cape Town in April.
In the process, the 28-year-old athlete chopped more than half a second off the national mark of 3:31.93 set by former World Championships medallist Johan Cronje in Rieti in September 2013.
Ttshite, who already held the SA 1 500m (3:35.06) and mile (3:54.10) short track records, set a national outdoor mark for the first time in his career.
In a lightning fast race, Azeddine Habz of France secured victory in 3:27.49, setting the fastest time in the world this year and a new meeting record.
In second place, Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech of Kenya set a new world U20 record, clocking 3:27.72.
Six athletes dipped under 3:30.00, and four men in the race broke national records.
Wildschutt finishes 14th
Adriaan Wildschutt, the only other South African competing in Paris, settled for 14th position in the men’s 5 000m race in 13:28.67.
Up front, Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia triumphed in 12:47.84.
The next leg of the Diamond League series will be held in Eugene on 5 July.
