Record-Breaking Semenya Shines At Paris Diamond League
Caster Semenya broke her own South African record with a gun-to-tape victory in the 800m Women battle at the IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Paris, France on Saturday evening.
Semenya won the race in 1:54.25, smashing her previous national mark of 1:55.16 which she set when she won gold at the IAAF World Championships in London, England in August last year.
She was less than a second outside the 35-year-old world record of 1:53.28 held by Czech athlete Jarmila Kratochvilova, producing the fourth fastest performance of all time.
Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi finished second in 1:55.86, with Semenya dragging 10 women under the two-minute barrier in a fast race.
Akani Simbine stormed to a Season’s Best of 9.94 seconds in the 100m Men race though finishing fourth, with American Ronnie Baker securing the win in a hard-fought contest in 9.98.
In the 110m Men Hurdles final, Antonio Alkana grabbed fourth spot in 13.32, with Commonwealth champion Ronald Levy of Jamaica snatching victory in 13.18.
Earlier, in the first round, Alkana had finished third in his heat in a Season’s Best of 13.31. National champion Luxolo Adams held his own in the 200m Men race, finishing fourth in 20.21. Michael Norman of the United States took the win in a quick time of 19.84.
In the 100m Men B race, former SA record holder Henricho Bruintjies built on his consistent form, taking third place in 10.15, with Thando Roto grabbing sixth spot in 10.23. Abdullah Mohammed of Saudi Arabia won in 10.03 and Hassan Taftian of Iran was credited with the same time in second place, with both athletes setting national records.
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