Rise of a middle distance hero

SEKGODISO: SA'S INDOOR 800M CHAMPION WELCOMES THE PRESSURE TO EMULATE SEMENYA

- Wesley Botton

When Caster Semenya was sidelined by international gender rules a few years ago, there was a concern that her absence might leave a hole in South African women's middle-distance running that could not be filled. Enter Prudence Sekgodiso.

Sekgodiso has done incredibly well in recent years to fill the gap left by Semenya at the highest level of international athletics, rapidly climbing the ranks.

As well as she has done, however, the 23-year-old athlete is no overnight sensation. Her success is the result of many years of hard work and consistency.

Born in Ga-Kgapane, a village in Limpopo, Sekgodiso's talent was discovered as a young learner at Medingen Primary School.