‘She’s a powerhouse’ - Caster Semenya tips South African sensation to floor Mary Moraa, Athing Mu & Co at World Championships

Caster Semenya

‘She’s a powerhouse’ - Caster Semenya tips South African sensation to floor Mary Moraa, Athing Mu & Co at World Championships

Joel Omotto 21:30 - 31.03.2025

Three-time world 800m champion Caster Semenya has tipped a new kid on the block to upset big names like Mary Moraa, Athing Mu and Keely Hodgkinson at the World Championships.

Former world 800m champion Caster Semenya believes compatriot Prudence Sekgodiso is going to bring glory to South Africa from the 2025 World Championships.

Sekgodiso is still basking in the glory of her 800m win at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, where she claimed South Africa’s first-ever Indoor title over the distance.

Her achievements have been lauded in her country and among those in awe of her talents is Semenya, a three-time world 800m champion.

So impressed is Semenya by the 23-year-old that she is predicting a world title from her at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September.

“I believe she can do well, it all depends on her planning. She’s in great form, and if she continues working hard, she can win a world title," Semenya told South Africa’s state broadcaster SABC.

"I’m speaking from experience, and there’s no doubt about that. She’s a powerhouse. It's all about maintenance, focus, and the hunger to succeed.

"If she can sustain that, I have no doubt about her chances of winning the world title. if she stays committed to these principles, she has a strong shot at becoming a world champion. I'm proud of her – she's demonstrating the right mindset and determination."

Sekgodiso is already earning comparisons with Semenya and it does not help that she is working under coach Samuel Sepeng, who guided the double Olympics 800m champion to several titles during her career.

However, Semenya wants the new kid on the block to curve her own path.

"Prudence is not me; she is herself, and there is no pressure for her to achieve what I did. She needs to stay true to who she is and not listen to outside voices,” added the 34-year-old.

"There is only one Prudence, and that’s what matters. Athletes shouldn’t be compared, there will never be another me, just as there will never be another Prudence, because everyone is unique.”

Winning a world title will not be an easy task for Sekgodiso as she will have to upset some big names who were not in Nanjing as she won the indoor title.

World champion Mary Moraa from Kenya is looking to defend her title in Tokyo, while Olympics champion Keely Hodgkinson is also looking to wrestle it from her.

There is former Olympics champion Athing Mu from the United States as well as Ethiopian Tsige Duguma, the Olympics silver medalist.

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