South African middle-distance star Prudence Sekgodiso has once again etched her name into the history books, this time by breaking the South African 800m short course record at the World Athletics Indoor Tour A event in Belgrade, Serbia. Just days after being crowned the Athletics South Africa Athlete Personality of the Year, Sekgodiso clocked an impressive 2:02.30 on January 29, 2025, setting a new national indoor record in her debut indoor event.
The achievement is a remarkable one, especially considering Sekgodiso’s recent victory at the prestigious award ceremony on January 25, 2025, at Monte Casino in Johannesburg. The annual event, which honours excellence in South African athletics, saw the athlete take home the coveted Athlete Personality of the Year Award. As the applause echoed in the auditorium, few could have predicted that just four days later, Sekgodiso would be celebrating another major milestone on the international stage.
Expressing her excitement on social media, Sekgodiso posted a simple yet powerful message: “On to the next one!” With a fierce determination to continue her upward trajectory, she is already focused on her next challenge in Germany on February 7, 2025.
In response to the ASA Personality of the year award, Sekgodiso posted, “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude!” Sekgodiso wrote on her Instagram account, thanking her family, coaches, teammates, and fans for their unwavering support. “Your encouragement and love have fueled my passion and motivated me to excel,” she continued, further underlining her appreciation for the athletics community that has stood by her through her journey.
The 2024 season was a landmark one for Sekgodiso, who achieved a series of career-defining moments, including making it to the final of the 800m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She ran a blistering time of 1:58.79 in the final, showcasing her world-class form on the global stage. Sekgodiso also clocked her personal best of 1:57.26 at the Le Grand Stade in Morocco on May 19, 2024. Her consistency throughout the year also saw her achieving remarkable results in both the 800m and 1500m events.
Among her most notable wins in 2024 were triumphs at the South African Championships in Pietermaritzburg on April 21, where she finished first with a time of 4:13:09 in the 1500m, and at the Meeting International Mohammed VI d’Athlétisme de Rabat in Morocco on May 19, where she posted her 800m personal best. Additionally, she went on to secure 800m victories in France and Norway, including a win at the Oslo Bislett Games with a time of 1:58.66.
Sekgodiso’s achievements have made her one of the most exciting athletes in South African athletics, and the 2025 season promises even more to come. By setting a new South African indoor record so early in the year, Sekgodiso is sending a strong message to her competitors, and the world, that she is hungry for more success on the track. As she prepares for her next race in Germany, all eyes will be on this determined athlete who continues to break barriers and redefine the limits of her event for South African ahtletes.
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