South Africa’s golden girl and Olympian Caster Mokgadi Semenya broke another SA record in the women’s 1000 race on Thursday evening at Tuks Stadium-Pretoria, during the Athletics Grand Prix.
The Limpopo born outmuscled Ugandans who boasted power and instilled fearlessness on the track, particularly Semenya but this time in her home ground, it was not to be.
“Cobra” as she’s known to her fans clogged in a 2 minutes 35.43 seconds.
To add cherry on top of a cake, she broke the record on International Women’s Day!
“It was a tough race. The pacemaker went too quickly so I was a little disappointed,” said Semenya afterwards.
“The main job of a pacemaker is to guide me, not kill me. But at the end of the day I got a new national record so I couldn’t ask for more. It’s fantastic.”
Ugandans Halimah Nakaayi came second in 2:37.55 and Winnie Nanyondo third in 2:37.98.
To add cherry on top of a cake, she broke the record on International Women’s Day!
The same record was held by Ilze Wicksell way back in 1983.
Meanwhile, another SA sensation Anaso Jobodwana did the unthinkable by outrunning World’s 100m champ Justin Gatlin, in the same evening that was packed, thanks to new sponsors Liquid Telecom.
The 2015 World bronze medallist Anaso clogged 15.08 seconds to claim a record in an unfamiliar distance, and Gaitlin came fourth 15.23, Roscoe Engel came through in second (15.17) and Luxolo Adams third 15.18.
It shows with huge financial back up for SA athletes, the sky is unlimited.
