Caster in SA champs double gold

TRACK phenom Caster Semenya has won a rare 1500-5000m double gold at the South African athletics championships in Germiston, adding to a remarkable collection of national titles.

Semenya cruised to victory in the 1500m yesterday in 4:13.59, adding to her first 5000m gold from the night before. She took the lead from the gun and opened a sizeable gap which she held throughout and extended it to nearly 100m. Talented youngster Carmie Prinsloo was second in 4:29.55.

The victories extended Semenya’s tally to 15 gold medals since she won her maiden SA title in Stellenbosch in 2009. She has won national titles in four separate individual events – the 400, 800, 1500 and the 5000, putting her in a class of her own.

Tshepang Makhete brought Chris Harmse’s hammer throw reign of 23 years to an end with a winning heave of 72.25m. The Sasolburg-native was born in the same year SA record holder Harmse won his maiden title in 1996.

An elated Makhete described the victory as a dream come true, and he was waiting for someone to wake him up. “I remember in 2017 when Chris said he was looking forward to someone getting the title from him and I think I fulfilled the old man’s dream,” he said. “I felt the pressure has always been on me since 2014. Then I was dubbed the prince of the hammer throw, and now I have taken the step further of being the king.”

South African horizontal jumps legend Khotso Mokoena leapt to his 13th national title yesterday. The 2008 Beijing Olympic silver medallist won his seventh triple jump gold medal with a best effort of 16.81m. Menzi Mthembu took silver with a 16m effort.

The men’s 200m provided some drama during the afternoon’s semi-finals. Defending champion Luxolo Adams false started while SA 200m record holder Clarence Munyai did not start after posting the fastest heat time of 20.77 sec.

Last year Munyai pulled out of the final a day after breaking Wayde van Niekerk’s national record with a blistering 19.69 sec in the semi-finals.

But today’s half-lap sprint final still has two Olympic finalists in it, with SA 100m record holder Akani Simbine and former world bronze medallist Anaso Jobodwana going toe to toe.