A final 800m just too far for Prudence

Prudence Sekgodiso ran a brave 800m final last night in Paris, but unfortunately ran out of steam over the final bend.

The 22-year-old, competing in her first Olympics, was caught inside a fiercely contested group for the first 500m, and attempted to make a break down the back straight.

Sekogodiso made good strides and worked her way into the leading quartet with 150m to go and remained on track for a podium finish. But, unfortunately, Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma and Kenya’s world champion Mary Moraa had too much power down the home straight.

Realising she was not going to place in the medal positions, the fight was knocked out of Sekogodiso as she slipped all the way down the field to finish in eighth position in a time of 1:58.79.

Hodgkinson claimed the gold medal in time of 1:56.72, Dugama the silver in 1:57.15 and Moraa’s 1:57.42 was enough for the bronze.

Sekgodiso had qualified for the final after finishing second behind Hodgkinson in her semi-final in a time of 1:57.57, the third-quickest time in the semi-finals.

South African will now turn their attention to the 200m men’s semi-finals after Wayde van Niekerk and Shaun Maswangani finished third in their respective heats.

Van Niekerk, the 400m world record holder and 2016 Olympic champion over the one-lap race, has committed to the shorter 200m distance in Paris.

After watching his sister Kayla Swart compete with the SA women’s hockey team at the beginning of these Games, Van Niekerk got down to business yesterday. He came home in 20.42 seconds to automatically qualify for the semi-finals, but knows there is still plenty of work to do.

“It was a good initial run out of the bend, but I know there is still work to be done in the latter stages of the race,” Van Niekerk said.

“For sure, a bit rusty out of the first round. I know I can do better. I still had to do some final preparations and work before the competition. We’ll shake that off and try again next round.”

Maswangani also admitted that he could do better than his 20.20 that ensured his qualification.

“I’m just happy to qualify nicely. Biggest thing is you don't want to run too many races,” said Maswangani, who is based in the US.

“Thank God], I made it through to the semi-finals and I don’t have to run the repechage round.

“Overall, I am pretty satisfied. I know I could be better off the turn, that will make my straight a lot easier. But 20.2 is one of my fastest times and that was a horribly executed race. So, I know there is more to work on.

“I used too much energy on the turn. I want to be more efficient in the semi-final, so I have a lot more in the home stretch.”

Benjamin Richardson, unfortunately, suffered an upper right leg injury coming off the bend in his 200m heat and limped over the line. Richardson’s injury has further ramifications as he is now a doubtful participant in South Africa’s 4x100m relay team.

South Africa’s discus throwers Francois Prinsloo and Victor Hogan both failed to make the final with throws of 61.35m and 60.78 respectively.