Sekgodiso delivered a stellar performance to claim victory in the women’s 800m final on the third and final day of the championships in Nanjing, China.

She crossed the finish line in 1:58.40, shattering her own South African short-track record by more than a second. Earlier in the season, she had set the benchmark at 1:59.88.

Blazing ??

????'s Prudence Sekgodiso clocks a world-leading 1:58.40 to take the women's 800m title ??#WorldIndoorChamps pic.twitter.com/ZRy9P5VTKG

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) March 23, 2025

The 23-year-old also recorded the fastest indoor time in the world this year, securing Team South Africa’s second medal at the championships. Sekgodiso won comfortably, finishing nearly a full second ahead of Ethiopia's Nigist Getachew, who took silver in 1:59.63, while Portugal’s Patrícia Silva rounded off the podium with bronze in 1:59.80.

On Friday, Akani Simbine had claimed bronze in the men’s 60m final.

Reacting to Sekgodiso’s historic achievement, Athletics South Africa president James Moloi praised the star athlete for raising the bar on the world stage.

Akani Simbine. Photo: X

“This is exactly what we’ve been talking about – a gold medal to crown a superb performance, inspired by the bronze we secured earlier,” said Moloi.

“Our athletes are nothing short of amazing. They focus on the bigger picture and go out there to achieve it.

“We are incredibly proud of our indoor team for putting in their best performances. The pressure is now on to do even better as we enter the World Championships season.

“We wish everyone a safe journey home.”

Team South Africa is set to arrive back in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg