Share

Semenya shows no signs of slowing down

accreditation
Caster Semenya (Getty Images)
Caster Semenya (Getty Images)

Johannesburg - South Africa’s multi-Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya will not rest on her laurels and is ready to complete a clean sweep on the international stage this year.

She broke a 35-year-old South African record – set by Ilze de Kock Wicksell in 1983 – at the Telecom Athletics Grand Prix Series in front of a sold-out crowd at the Tuks Stadium on Thursday night.

Limpopo’s finest wants to win all her events this year: at the South African Senior Track and Field championships at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria on Friday and Saturday, at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April, at the Diamond League Series in Europe and at the African Senior Championships in Nigeria in August.

When asked how far she expects to go this season, she said the only person who could stop her in her tracks was herself.

Semenya received a standing ovation when she smashed Wicksell’s record of 2:37.20 – she stopped the clock at 2:35.43.

Wicksell applauded Semenya as she improved on her time.

Semenya has clinched two Olympic gold medals in the women’s 800m – in 2012 and 2016 –and three world championship titles – in 2009, 2011 and last year.

But she’s hungry for more.

Semenya said: “We are happy with the time and with how we ran the race.

“It’s still early in the season and we can always go faster. We are going for the nationals this week, and the big one at the Commonwealth Games.

“The main thing is to stay healthy and work together with the management and the coach. To be a great athlete, you can never succeed alone.”

Semenya said she was over the moon about her record and dedicated her success to the younger athletes.

“It’s fantastic. I was training for this and I did it for the youngsters so that they too can train towards their goals.”

Semenya will do the double at the Commonwealth Games in the women’s 800m and 1 500m.

When asked if she was gunning for Zola Budd’s 1 500m South African record of 4:01.81, set in March 1984, Semenya said she would focus on that when the time was right.

“Let’s celebrate this one first and then we will talk about the 1 500m.”

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE