Semenya doubles up in Durbs
REIGNING 800m world champion Caster Semenya completed a double by winning the 800m and 1500m titles at the Yellow Pages national championships in Durban yesterday.
Speaking after capturing the 1 500m title, Semenya said she has put the gender scandal that almost ruined her career behind her and was bent ON dominating the middle-distance events.
This was the first time Semenya competed in a national championships since winning the 800m title at the 2009 World Championships in Germany.
Semenya was in limbo for almost a year because of a gender dispute but has since been cleared by the IAAF to continue running as a woman.
"All those things are a thing of the past. I have opened a new chapter in my life and there is no turning back," said the 20-year-old.
"The competition was tough in Durban. I expected it because we have some of the best 800m and 1500m athletes in this beautiful country of ours."
She will be heading for Europe now that the local season is over, except for the interprovincial meet in Bellville on April 16.
One of the biggest performers on the day was Ruben Ramolefi, who won the 3 000m steeplechase in 8min:14,07sec, the second fastest ever clocked on South African soil.