23-year-old Prudence Sekgodiso sprinted to victory in the women’s 800m at the world indoor championships held in Nanjing, China, making history for South Africa as she became the first woman from the country to medal at this prestigious event. Her world-leading time of 1:58.40 not only clinched gold but also showcased her immense potential as she heads into the outdoor season.
Sekgodiso started the race strategically, slotting in fourth during the initial lap. Gradually finding her rhythm, she advanced to third by the second lap and surged forward to take second place on the third 200m. However, it was on the home straight that she truly came alive. With explosive speed, she left her competitors trailing, charging to the finish line with more than a second to spare.
Emerging Ethiopian talent Nigist Getachew finished a strong second with a personal best of 1:59.63, while Patricia Silva of Portugal secured third place, setting a national record with a time of 1:59.80. Sekgodiso had entered the race seeded second, behind defending champion Tsige Duguma, following her own South African record of 1:59.88 set in France earlier this year.
This historic gold not only adds to Sekgodiso’s accolades but also serves as a tremendous confidence booster as she prepares for the world championships in Tokyo come September. In Nanjing, her victory was as much about delivering under pressure as it was about speed, showcasing her determination to rise to the occasion.
Sekgodiso’s win contributed to South Africa’s overall performance at the championships, where the country earned its second medal, following Akani Simbine’s bronze in the 60m event. This achievement placed South Africa in an impressive 11th position on the medals table. Her gold was the nation’s 12th indoor medal overall, marking the fourth gold and third 800m title for South African athletics, joining the ranks of Johan Botha and Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, who previously claimed gold in the men’s 800m.
While Sekgodiso basked in her victory, other South African athletes faced tough challenges. Long-jumper Cheswill Johnson achieved a best effort of 7.64m, finishing second from the back, while shot putter Chris van Niekerk also ended at the same position with a throw of 19.47. The day took an emotional toll on hurdler Marioné Fourie, who pulled out of the competition following the recent death of her coach, Jaun Strydom. Despite her potential 7.91 national record run earlier this year, which would have secured her a place in the final, the circumstances led to her withdrawal.