Caster Semenya highlights South Africa’s medal potential at World Athletics Championships

Caster Semenya is confident in SA’s medal prospects at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo in September, but called for more backing for South African athletes.

TeamSA, especially the sprinters, are continuing to light up international meets. Sprinter Akani Simbine is unbeaten in the 100m so far this year, while youngster Bayanda Walaza is staking his claim as the heir apparent. Zakithi Nene boasts the fastest time over the men’s 400m so far in 2025.

“I think if you can continue being consistent and working hard we’ll do great,” Semenya told Independent Media on Sunday at the Comrades.

“Simbine is doing quite well; he has been consistent and unbeaten this year, so I’m happy with where he is. And obviously, the young boy Walaza is coming okay. I wish them the best of luck in terms of being consistent throughout the season and wish them the best of luck in the championship.

“Then in the road running, we have the Glenrose Xabas who are doing well. Adriaan Wildschutt is doing great, so if we continue being great like that I don’t see a problem.”

The former multiple Olympic and world champion over 800m is also confident of current star Prudence Sekgodiso chances over the distance at the showpiece event.

Sekgodiso, the world indoor 800m champion and Paris 2024 Olympian, is coached by former South African middle-distance runner Samuel Sepeng.

“They are building up to the world championships. With her form I think anything can happen,” Semenya said. “The best that she could do is to make sure that she’s patient enough and make sure that she eyes being in the final, because once you are in the final anything is possible.

“As for the rest of the track and field family, they’re in a good state. We were able to win medals in the world relays.”

Semenya insists that they won’t succeed without backing.

“It also comes down to the leadership, the management. They need to learn how to invest in these athletes, making sure that athletes are well taken care of,” she said.

“Athletes need nutrition, they need the physios, they need money to get into camps. So, I think we’re forgetting that culture where we say we need to focus on taking care of athletes, so the athletes can focus on fulfilling their desires.”

Turning to the recent dominance over 10km of her charge, Xaba, Semenya feels that the middle-distance track and road star can be a force for years to come.

“The main focus is to stay unbeaten, but for you to stay unbeaten is more about being consistent in training, showing up, discipline, taking care of your body,” she said.

“If she can maintain that, then she can do this for the next five years. It’s about her and us as a team making sure that she’s healthy, she’s well taken care of. She can achieve anything that she wants, as long as she shows up in training, she’s disciplined, and when she needs to recover, she recovers.

"So that when running, you can be consistent because you are consistent in training. She’s doing well in training.”

Xaba will continue her quest to defend her Spar Women’s 10km Grand Prix title when she lines up for the Durban leg of the series on June 22.