Flash Women’s 800: Caster Semenya Runs Negative Splits To Take Gold As Ajee Wilson Fights Hard For Bronze
by LetsRun.com
August 13, 2017
LONDON – Francine Niyonsaba and Ajee Wilson threw the best challenge at her they could, but in the end Caster Semenya was just too good and after running negative splits of 58.53 and 56.63 is your 2017 women’s 800 world champion. Niyonsaba lead most of the race going out hard in 57.98 as Wilson stalked her in second and Semenya sat mid-pack, more than half a second off the lead. Wilson followed Niyonsaba until trying to pass with 200m to go, but Niyonsaba held off Wilson’s move while Semenya quickly made up the gap and blew by the two challengers on the homestretch. Semenya took her third World title (fifth global gold) in a PB and national record of 1:55.16 (#8 all-time) while Niyonsaba (1:55.92) and Wilson (1:56.65) were each rewarded for their efforts with silver and bronze.
Come back later for recap and analysis.
Results:
| POS | BIB | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4209 | Caster SEMENYA |  RSA |
1:55.16 WL |
| 2 | 3660 | Francine NIYONSABA |  BDI |
1:55.92 |
| 3 | 4380 | Ajee WILSON |  USA |
1:56.65 |
| 4 | 4090 | Margaret Nyairera WAMBUI |  KEN |
1:57.54 |
| 5 | 3719 | Melissa BISHOP |  CAN |
1:57.68 |
| 6 | 4166 | Angelika CICHOCKA |  POL |
1:58.41 PB |
| 7 | 4350 | Charlene LIPSEY | USA |
1:58.73 |
| 8 | 3911 | Lynsey SHARP |  GBR |
1:58.98 |