Semenya speeds to 400 metres win in African Championships

TIL Desk Sports/ Caster Semenya won the women’s 400 metres in a South African record time of 49.96 seconds, while Nijel Amos of Botswana retained his 800m title by beating Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir at the African Championships on Friday.

Semenya, the Olympic and world 800m champion, clipped 0.09 seconds off the 18-year-old national record. She now holds the South African 400, 800, 1,000 and 1,500 metres records.

“It is all about having fun, wait for the right moment to execute so you can have a good race,” said the 27-year-old, who will run at her more familiar 800m distance later this week.”I can’t say I am still new in this event (the 400m). I have run the 400 previously but not really in a competitive level.”

A new International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) hyperandrogenism rule that she is challenging at the Court of Arbitration for Sport could prevent Semenya competing in the 800m and 1500m races after November.