TZANEEN – South Africa’s athletics sensation and Kgapane resident, Prudence Sekgodiso, secured a gold medal over the weekend in the 800m at the 2025 World Indoor Championships.

The 23-year-old middle-distance star produced a masterclass in strategy and speed to secure the gold in a thrilling final in Nanjing, China.

Sekgodiso entered the final as the second-fastest qualifier, demonstrating her fine form since the start of 2025. Sitting in third place behind the Ethiopian duo for much of the race, the South African athlete timed her kick perfectly.

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“Even though I knew I was going to get a medal, the gold came as a shock. In the last 200m I was able to surge ahead of Ethiopia’s Nigist Getachew, who had been leading the race alongside her compatriot Tsiga Duguma,” Sekgodiso told a radio station.” The competition was amazing, I thought the Ethiopians were going to win it, but here I am. I came first, and the rest is history,” said Sekgodiso.

With a powerful last lap, she broke loose, proving that she had the legs for the closing stages of the race.

In February she delivered another record-breaking performance on the World Athletics Indoor Tour in France, equalling her own national indoor 800m record with a time of 01:59.88. Sekgodiso breakthrough moment came last year when she ran an impressive 01:57.26 in May during the prestigious Diamond League, propelling her onto the global stage.