South Africa’s Caster Semenya won gold in the women’s 1500m in a personal best time and games record of four minutes 0.71 seconds (4:00.71) at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, on Tuesday.
It was also a new South African record, breaking the 4:01.81 mark set by Zola Budd back in 1984.
Kenya’s Beatrice Chepkoech was second in 4:03.09 with Melissa Courtney of Wales taking bronze in 4:03.44.
After a delayed start due to faulty starting equipment, the athletes were forced to wait around for several minutes.
Beginning at a steady pace in the middle of the pack in lane two in wet conditions, the 800m Olympic champion Semenya was comfortable holding back in her less-favoured event.
The field went through the first 400m in 63.82, with Semenya in sixth position. At 800m the leaders went through in 2:10 with Semenya still holding her position.
At the start of the final lap Semenya had moved into third, making her big move at 200m to go she grabbed the lead. On the final straight, Semenya demolished the field as she powered away as she displayed her impressive speed down the final straight.
Semenya will be aiming for a double gold at the Commonwealth Games, as she is next scheduled to compete in the women’s 800m starting with the heats on Wednesday.
Meanwhile The South African swimming team claimed bronze in the 4x100m medley relay at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, on Tuesday.
Calvyn Justus, Cameron van der Burgh, Chad le Clos and Brad Tandy were the swimmers representing South Africa.
Despite Australia and England some way ahead fighting it out for gold, South Africa did well to snatch the final podium position.
Australia edged out England to take gold in a new games record of three minutes 31.04 seconds. England were just behind in 3:31.13, with South Africa touching the wall in 3:34.79. - African News Agency
