Share

Semenya, Manyonga fly SA flag in Zurich

Zurich - Caster Semenya and Luvo Manyonga were in top form on Thursday evening, adding IAAF Diamond League series crowns to the respective world titles they recently won in London.

Middle-distance runner Semenya and long jumper Manyonga both won their specialist disciplines at the first of two finals in the Diamond League series in Zurich, Switzerland.

Semenya, who lifted the Diamond League season crown last year, secured another convincing victory in the 800m women race, crossing the line in 1:55.84.

Perennial rival Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi again finished second, completing the two-lap battle in 1:56.71, with Kenyan Margaret Wambui bouncing back to form with a personal best of 1:56.87 in third place.

Manyonga was equally dominant, holding off countryman Ruswahl Samaai, who grabbed second spot.

Samaai took the early lead with a leap of 8.14m in the first round, but Manyonga moved in front in round two with a jump of 8.31m.

Manyonga went on to extend his advantage with a fourth round effort of 8.49m, while Samaai also improved to 8.31m to settle for the runner-up spot behind his compatriot.

Former Olympic silver medallist Khotso Mokoena ended ninth, reaching 7.13m with his only legal attempt.

Manyonga joins Mokoena and Semenya as the only South African athletes to have won Diamond League titles in any discipline.

Akani Simbine stormed to sixth place in the 100m men dash in 10.10, while in the 400m hurdles LJ van Zyl (49.92) and 400m sprinter Pieter Conradie (46.45) settled for seventh position in their respective events.

In the 400m women hurdles, which was not a Diamond League final, Wenda Nel ended sixth in 55.86.

Former world champion, Zuzana Hejnova of the Czech Republic, won the contest in 54.13.

The 14th and final leg of the Diamond League series, which will incorporate the season deciders in 16 remaining disciplines, will be held in Brussels, Belgium on September 1.

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
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 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