South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso has claimed her country’s first-ever women’s world indoor medal in Naijan.
The Olympic finalist stormed to victory in the 800m, clocking a world-leading indoor national record of 1:58.40 to secure gold and etch her name into the history books.Â
Prudence Sekgodiso outclassed Ethiopia’s Nigist Getachew who clocked 1:59.63 and Portugal’s Patricia Silva with 1:59.80, to claim silver and bronze, respectively.
The South African’s triumph was one of the biggest upsets of the championships, as she dethroned Ethiopia’s defending champion and Paris Olympic silver medallist Tsige Duguma, who faded in the final stages.
The women’s 800m event had already proven unpredictable, with several top contenders, including US indoor champion Nia Akins and Olympic finalist Shafiqua Maloney, failing to advance past the semifinals.
Sekgodiso’s winning time not only shattered her previous national record of 1:59.88 but also marked her fourth sub two minute performance of the season.
“I knew I had to stay calm and trust my training. When I saw the opportunity, I went for it. This medal is for South Africa,” Sekgodiso said as quoted by World Athletics News.
The race was very competitive that even fourth and fifth place finishers, Switzerland’s Audrey Werro who clocked 1:59.81 and Poland’s Anna Wielgosz 2:00.34, set national records and personal bests, respectively.
For Getachew, the silver medal marked a successful debut on the indoor circuit, while Silva’s bronze was a poignant moment for Portuguese athletics.
Silva acknowledged the medal came 24 years after her father, Mario Silva, won bronze in the 1500m at the 1991 World Indoor Championships.
“This is a dream come true. To follow in my father’s footsteps and win a medal for Portugal is something I’ll cherish forever,” she said as quoted by World Athletics News.
