Caster Semenya, after settling into fifth place on the opening lap, stretched her legs on the back straight yesterday as she hauled in the leaders and came out the final bend sprinting into the lead in the 800m event.

The Limpopo runner was unchallenged as she crossed the line in 1min 57.67sec, her best time of this season by nearly two seconds and almost a second quicker than runner-up Elena Arzhakova in 1:58.13.

"It was very hard, but I tried my best," said Semenya, who played down her chances in the final.

"Sometimes you want to run a good race but you must forget about everything else. I must not focus on medals, just go out there and run."

• Sunette Viljoen failed to cap what would have been a great day for South Africa's Olympic women as she ended a painful fourth in the javelin here last night.

Viljoen, who came into London ranked No 1 in the world, missed out on a podium finish by just 38cm, although the truth is she never really found her rhythm.

Her first throw of 64.53m, her best of the night, had her ranked in the top three for more than half the competition, but even that looked cumbersome.

She was pushed off podium contention in the fourth round by Germany's Linda Stahl, with 64.91, and although Viljoen recovered slightly, it was not enough to get a medal.

Defending champion Barbora Spotakova of Czech Republic retained her Olympic javelin title with a world-leading 69.55m, and veteran German Christina Obergfoll was second with 65.16m.

• Usain Bolt led an amazing Jamaican threesome home as he won the 200m in 19.32sec, becoming the first man in history to defend both the Olympic sprint crowns.

More than a second behind was SA's Anaso Jobodwana, who finished last after a slow start.

Yohan Blake (19.44) and Warren Weir (19.84) claimed silver and bronze.

• Nijel Amos won Botswana's first-ever Olympic medal, a silver behind Kenya's David Rudisha in the 800m.

Rudisha ran a world record 1:40.91 and Nigel a world junior record of 1:41.73.

• Meanwhile, Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula, who was at OR Tambo International airport to welcome home Cameron van der Burgh and fellow Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos, said the government would prioritise funding for medal-winning sports like swimming.

Comments

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Thu Jun 20 03:52:51 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 10, 2012

AusiBob

All the best girl! Bring it home! South African's a fully behind you! Make us proud!
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Aug 10, 2012

Pointman

Watched the race - she cruised home without effort. That Kenyan girl gave her such a dirty look but came over and congratulated her anyway.
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Aug 10, 2012

maneater

i trully beleive in you girl. but i just get uneasy with the tactic of staying at the back and only sprinting in the last 300m. with Pamela Jelimo in the picture i think you must start early in the final. but i think you gonna win this one good luck!!
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Aug 10, 2012

Sphalaphala

You go girl, Mzansi is so proud of you, those U*gly Kenyan Masai girls are so jealous and s*kinny
Caster is so down to earth but knows what she wants, GOLD, it was very interesting the way she won her qualifying race last nite, cool, calm and collect as if she was just walking in the park.

That girl has a confident bathong, she knows that Mzansi, Limpopo people, Julius Malema, ANCYL, God and Ancestors all supporting her.
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Aug 10, 2012

Stumaeza

It's clear you gonna win this one Caster
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Aug 10, 2012

maftowncity

Well done Mokgadi,you ran a good race gal, and i know in the final you will represent us well and bring the smile to the whole Nation.....Go gal Go..

@Pointman

Aish,bro,that Kenyan girl gave me a fright, and when the bell rang for the final lap i saw Mokgadi picked up her pace to the next bar, and the last 300m,i knew Mokgadi will put this one on the table....
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Aug 10, 2012

shrink7

i think this woman is hiding her true ability, it always makes me wonder why????
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Aug 10, 2012

Ngwedane'endala

I am proud of you Caster.
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Aug 10, 2012

1andonlybucs

She's going for Gold!! goodluck Caster
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Aug 10, 2012

T'dpole

For once since she started running, i noticed that she is developing breasts.............now she can be sure she is a woman and win everything on offer.............
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