Semenya strikes gold in Ostrava
TOP FORM: RUSWAHL SAMAAI DOMINATES IN LONG JUMP
SA superstar gears up for battle against the IAAF in court.
Caster Semenya made another silent statement at the weekend, again flaunting her tremendous versatility in the last of her competitive outings before a controversial court case gets underway.
Semenya closed out her season in style, setting a national women’s 400m record of 49.62 seconds to take the silver medal for the African team at the Continental Cup in Ostrava on Saturday.
She went on to grab gold in the 800m race yesterday in 1:54.77, more than two seconds clear of her nearest opponent.
Having earned double podium places at the Commonwealth Games, African Championships and Continental Cup events over distances ranging from 400m to 1 500m this season, Semenya was bracing for a new battle.
With the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) expected to implement rule changes in November which would prevent hyperandrogenic athletes from competing against women between 400m and the mile, Semenya and Athletics SA were rolling up their sleeves in preparation for a legal battle at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Should they win their case, Semenya could be tipped to break the 800m world record next year after chipping away at the mark over the last few seasons.
However, should the IAAF rule be upheld, Semenya would either need to call time on her international career or consider stepping up to the 5 000m distance.
Based on her recent performances in the 400m sprint, she could opt to compete in the 200m event, though her ability over either the longer or shorter distances outside her current range had not yet been tested.
Meanwhile, Ruswahl Samaai was rewarded for his consistent efforts in recent years, earning his first global title at the quadrennial Continental Cup, which pitted the African team against squads from Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.
Samaai, who had stunned compatriot Luvo Manyonga to win the African title in Asaba last month, won the men’s long jump title in Ostrava after dominating the new elimination format.
With the field being chopped in half after the third and fourth rounds, Samaai held his nerve to win the final, producing a best leap of 8.16 metres.