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Cape Town - There is no rest bight for South Africa’s two top athletes after the IAAF World Athletics Championships ended in Daegu on Sunday.
Sunette Viljoen (women’s javelin) and Caster Semenya (women’s 800m) will both be taking part in Thursday night’s IAAF Diamond League meeting in Zurich.
The meeting in Zurich forms the first part of a two part Diamond League final, which will determine the best athletes over a 14-meeting series.
As reported in Thursday’s Die Burger newspaper, sparks may fly yet again, as the line-up for some of the events are almost identical to those who took part in the finals in South Korea, as is the case with Semenya’s 800m race.
Viljoen earned a bronze medal at the world championships with her giant throw of 68.38m, the fifth furthest of all-time and African record.
“I have had an unbelievable season up until now where I have achieved all of the goals I have set out for myself.
“The most important thing now is that I can prove myself to the rest of the javelin-world that I am good enough to win a medal at next year’s Olympic Games in London,” said Viljoen.
She added that if she remains focused and technically sound that she is confident of repeating her success in Daegu.
As far as the 800m for women goes, it is almost certain that silver medallist, Semenya, will mount a serious charge come the last 200m of the race.
However, the question is whether new world champion, Mariya Savinov will have enough energy to overhaul Semenya over the final stretch again.
Semenya is currently third in the Diamond League standings, three points behind Kenia Sinclair of Jamaica and will be hoping for a good showing in Zurich.
Sunette Viljoen (women’s javelin) and Caster Semenya (women’s 800m) will both be taking part in Thursday night’s IAAF Diamond League meeting in Zurich.
The meeting in Zurich forms the first part of a two part Diamond League final, which will determine the best athletes over a 14-meeting series.
As reported in Thursday’s Die Burger newspaper, sparks may fly yet again, as the line-up for some of the events are almost identical to those who took part in the finals in South Korea, as is the case with Semenya’s 800m race.
Viljoen earned a bronze medal at the world championships with her giant throw of 68.38m, the fifth furthest of all-time and African record.
“I have had an unbelievable season up until now where I have achieved all of the goals I have set out for myself.
“The most important thing now is that I can prove myself to the rest of the javelin-world that I am good enough to win a medal at next year’s Olympic Games in London,” said Viljoen.
She added that if she remains focused and technically sound that she is confident of repeating her success in Daegu.
As far as the 800m for women goes, it is almost certain that silver medallist, Semenya, will mount a serious charge come the last 200m of the race.
However, the question is whether new world champion, Mariya Savinov will have enough energy to overhaul Semenya over the final stretch again.
Semenya is currently third in the Diamond League standings, three points behind Kenia Sinclair of Jamaica and will be hoping for a good showing in Zurich.
