LONDON – Caster Semenya claimed another global title when she won the world 800 metres gold on Sunday, and after surging clear to record one minute 55.16 seconds, she said she now has an eye on the world record.
Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi, who took silver behind her in Rio, was second again in 1:55.92, with American’s Ajee Wilson claiming bronze in 1:56.65.
South Africa’s Semenya, who won bronze in the unfamiliar 1 500m on Monday, looked much more at home in her preferred event.
Niyonsaba led the field round at a sharp pace, hitting the bell at 57.98 seconds, with Wilson – who set a US record this year – hot on her heels.
Semenya, however, maintained her languid stride a few metres back before closing the gap, easing past both on the final bend and running clear.
Semenya, 26, is the 2016 Olympic and 2009 world champion, and is poised to gain two more golds after Russian doper Mariya Savinova-Farnosova was stripped of her 2012 Olympic and 2011 world titles.
Caster Semenya received her 800m gold medal on Sunday night. Photo: Andy Rain, EPA
“I just love you guys, it feels like home in London,” said Semenya. “I used to say Berlin was like my home. Obviously it is South Africa, but there are such fantastic people here. Beautiful.
“I’m lucky to have a great support team who work with me. Full credit to them. Another world title is a fantastic honour for me, and I love to do it here in London.
“The crowd are so welcoming to me, and it makes it feel even more special.”
She was asked if she was thinking of an assault on the world record of 1:53.28 set by Czech Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983 – the longest-standing track world record in the book.
Fantastic achievement by the national team at the IAAF World Championships. Well done to all the medallists #London2017 pic.twitter.com/kttpP80JUe
— Athletics_SA (@AthleticsSA_) August 13, 2017
“We need to be clear – 1.55 first, and it will require a lot of training,” said Semenya, who achieved her fastest ever time and a new South African record of 1:55.16.
“I have Olympic, world and Commonwealth titles now, so maybe it is time to target the world record. It’s the next thing on the list. I know it will be difficult, but I will have to attempt soon, maybe.”
Incredible finish from South Africa's @caster800m to take 800m gold in a world-leading 1:55.16 #IAAFworlds pic.twitter.com/uBNKhQ5Mm7
— IAAF (@iaaforg) August 13, 2017
Wilson said she had not expected a medal despite running into her best form at just the right time.
“I was trying to focus on my own race, I tried to speed it up for the last 100 metres, no matter if I came up short,” she said.
“I pushed it 100 percent and I’m super-happy. The crowd was super-awesome and super-special tonight. It was electrifying.”