Middle-distance runner Prudence Sekgodiso enjoyed another major breakthrough on Sunday, winning gold in the women’s 800m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing.
Sekgodiso produced an incredible tactical effort, sitting back for most of the race before launching a furious kick in the closing stages.
She completed the race in 1:58.40, breaking her own South African short track record of 1:59.88. She also clocked the fastest time in the world this year.
Sekgodiso, 23, finished well clear of Ethiopia’s Nigist Getachew who grabbed the silver medal in 1:59.63, with Patricia Silva of Portugal taking bronze in 1:59.80.
Other results
In the men’s long jump final, Cheswill Johnson finished 12th with a best leap of 7.64m.
Chris van Niekerk also struggled to put up a fight, ending 14th in the men’s shot put final with a 19.47m throw.
The SA team completed their campaign in Nanjing with two medals, after sprinter Akani Simbine earned bronze in the men’s 60m final on Friday.
* Featured image of Prudence Sekgodiso by Anton Geyser/Sascoc
