ASABA – Caster Semenya, Wayde van Niekerk and many other African athletes were on honoured when they were inducted into the African Athletics Confederation (CAA) Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
Semenya, who has stunned the world with her performances in the Olympics and World Championships is joined by Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonora on the roll of honour.
Africa’s fastest man with 9.85 secs Olusoji Fasuba and Tosin Oke, who set the current UK junior indoor record were also honoured at the induction ceremony in Asaba, Nigeria.
Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba, the 5 000m outdoor record-holder, as well as compatriot Mesert Defar, a three-time record holder in 5 000m event and Genzebe Dibaba, world record-holder in the 2 000m indoor event were among the honorees.
Wayde Van Niekerk joined compatriot Caster Semenya as inductees at the African Athletics Hall of Fame in Nigeria. Photo: John Sibley/Reuters
The current world and Olympic record holder in both the 5 000m and 10 000m events Kenenisa Bekele, and Almaz Ayana, who broke the women’s 10 000m world record at the Rio Olympic Games, both of Ethiopia, received recognition.
World 800m record holder Kenya’s David Rudisha and Olympic 3 000m champion Ezekiel Kemboiwere also inducted into the hall of fame.
Kenya’s Vivan Cheruyoit, a gold medallist in the 5000m in the Rio Olympics event with Van Niekerk, the current world and Olympic record holder in the 400m also made the roll of honour.