Prudence Sekgodiso fights hard and smart for third place in Stockholm
World indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso fought hard and smart to finish third in a competitive 800m race at the Diamond League meet in Stockholm on Sunday in which Olympic champion Jemma Reekie of Britain finished behind her.
Kenya's 2023 world champion Mary Moraa turned this into a tactical contest as she slowed down up front early on, letting the pacemaker go ahead, but Sekgodiso kept her head and when Reekie attacked at the end of the first lap, the 23-year-old went with her.
Moraa pressed again on the back straight, but Sekgodiso pushed back to stay in touch with the leaders and when they came off the final bend it was a three-way race between the Pretoria runner, Moraa and Briton Georgia Hunter Bell, the Olympic 1,500m bronze medallist.
Hunter Bell won in 1min 57.66sec with Moraa second in 1:57.83 and Sekgodiso third in 1:58.00.
Audrey Werro of Switzerland was fourth in 1:58.35 and Reekie fifth in 1:58.66.
Bradley Nkoana, a member of the South African 4x100m relay teams that won the 2024 Olympic silver and 2024 World Relays gold, finished second in the 100m in 10.23, five-hundredths of a second behind Benjamin Azamati of Ghana.
Gift Leotlela, the South African champion over the distance, was disqualified for a false start.
Abduraqhman Karriem had to overcome two recalls in the men's 200m, one for crowd noise and the other for a false start by Canadian Olympic gold medallist Aaron Brown.
But when the race got under way after the third firing of the start gun, Karriem produced a great start, coming off the bend in contention, but then started tiring to finish fifth in 20.52, well short of his 20.15 personal best.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
RG Snyman celebrates Leinster win with boozy shower
Springbok RG Snyman – affectionately known as the 'Viking' is celebrating his club Leinster's United Rugby Championship title win after beating the Bulls over the weekend. The Irish club beat the Pretoria team 32 -7 in Dublin on Saturday, 14 June. The tallest player in the South African team has played in Ireland – at both Munster and Leinster – for the past five years. He was recently named the URC's Players' Player of the Season. On his Instagram account, both RG Snyman and his wife, Saskia, shared a look at the celebrations. This involved plenty of dancing, beer chugging, and silly locker room antics. Take a look… View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saskia Snyman (@saskiassnyman) RG Snyman – nicknamed the 'Viking' – moved to Ireland in 2020 when he signed with the Munster Club. Last year, Snyman signed with the rival Irish club of Leinster. He has been living abroad for the past five years, making him eligible for residency. However, the Springbok has declined the offer. Speaking to the Irish Independent , RG Snyman says he signed to Leinster ahead of the 2024/2025 season as his family were 'settled' in the country. 'I'm enjoying the culture in Ireland and the people . . . that's why we really wanted to stay', he added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Mamelodi Sundowns aiming for glory at revamped FIFA Club World Cup
Mamelodi Sundowns are gearing up to compete in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, hosted in the United States this June, as they eagerly anticipate a return to the global stage. It has been eight years since their last appearance in this international competition. This time, however, they aim to make a lasting impression against some of the world's leading football clubs. The South African giants have secured their spot in the expanded 32-team tournament, which features a quartet of African representatives. Their participation creates a platform for the club to showcase its talent against elite sides from Europe, South America, and Asia. The team is set to face formidable group opponents, including Borussia Dortmund—2024 UEFA Champions League runners-up, Brazil's Fluminense, and South Korea's Ulsan. Reflecting on their previous venture outside Africa, Sundowns faced a harsh reality during the 2016 Club World Cup in Japan, where they did not secure a single victory. They secured their spot after a landmark African Champions League victory. In Japan, their journey was cut short after they were defeated by the Kashima Antlers. Subsequently, the team fell to a staggering 4-1 loss to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the fifth-place playoff, with Percy Tau's solitary goal the sole highlight of an otherwise disappointing campaign. Fast forward to the present, and Sundowns have embraced the lessons learned from that experience. The team's strategy is poised for a notable shift as they prepare for matches in the US. Unlike the dominant style they are accustomed to in the Premier Soccer League's Premiership, Sundowns' coaching staff has indicated a more measured approach and recognised the level of skill and experience they will face on the global stage. As part of their preparations, Sundowns will conduct their final training at the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, a facility renowned for developing top-tier athletic talent. This world-class training environment aims to provide the team with the best possible chance of success in the tournament. The new look FIFA Club World Cup kicks off on June 15, and for Sundowns, this is more than just another tournament. It's an opportunity to put African football on the map and to demonstrate their potential against some of the best clubs in the world. After the heart-wrenching experience of the CAF Champions League final defeat, the SA giants are now poised to seize an extraordinary opportunity, one that comes with the promise of substantial financial gain at the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. With a staggering R180 million up for grabs, the prize money dwarfs the combined earnings accrued from their recent exploits, runners-up in Africa and domestic league title holders. The Club World Cup's new format, which features eight groups of four teams, transforms each match into a lucrative affair. A single victory in the group stages is now valued at an impressive $2 million, marking a significant shift in how club football rewards success. But the financial potential does not end there. For Sundowns, the more they advance in the tournament, the more they stand to gain. The winners of the prestigious event will walk away with a staggering $40 million. A perfect run throughout the tournament could see the overall prize total soar to an astonishing $125 million. This monetary landscape presents an unparalleled chance for Sundowns to enhance their financial stability, improve their operational capabilities, and renew their aspirations on the continental stage. Capitalising on such lucrative prospects is crucial, and every player will need to bring their A-game should they wish to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime chance. Financial implications apart, it is also a pivotal moment for Sundowns to solidify their reputation and influence in global football. The journey ahead will undoubtedly be fraught with challenges, but the rewards could reshape the club's finances and also redefine its legacy in African football. As the countdown to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup begins, all eyes will be on Sundowns, a team that stands at the intersection of heartbreak and hope, ready to embark on a thrilling path towards history.
TimesLIVE
7 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Russell wins Canadian Grand Prix after McLarens collide
George Russell took Mercedes' first win of the Formula One season in Canada on Sunday while McLaren's Oscar Piastri stretched his lead to 22 points after a late collision with teammate Lando Norris that ended the Briton's race. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who had hoped to win for a record fourth year in a row at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, took second. Russell's 18-year-old Italian rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli finished third for his first F1 podium. Piastri was fourth with the safety car leading the final lap before peeling off to clear the way for Russell to take the chequered flag.
