South African athlete Prudence Sekgodiso skipped the World Indoor Championships in Poland to focus on recovery, avoiding a repeat of last year's injury. She spoke to Daily Maverick about her early-season struggles and plans for upcoming races. Sekgodiso aims for the Commonwealth Games in July.
Prudence Sekgodiso, who won gold in the 800m at the 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing with a time of 1:58.40, was absent from this year's event in Poland from 20 to 22 March. South Africa sent six athletes, including Luvo Manyonga, but Sekgodiso withdrew after two early races showed her body was not responding well.
Sekgodiso ran at the Czech Indoor Gala in Ostrava on 3 February, finishing seventh in 2:04.26, and fourth in the 800m B final at the Belgrade Indoor Meeting on 11 February. 'I think I ran two races. I was supposed to run three but the first two didn’t go according to the plan. I feel like we rushed things with my training,' she told Daily Maverick. She and coach Samuel Sepeng decided to prioritise recovery to prevent another injury like her hamstring issue at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Last year's intense schedule included strong Diamond League performances: second in Rabat on 25 May and Eugene on 5 July, third in Stockholm on 15 June, and personal bests of 1:57.16. The Tokyo injury ended her medal hopes. 'I remember the first two days after pulling the hammy, that first night I couldn’t sleep,' Sekgodiso said.
Now focusing on the outdoor season, she competes next at the Hezekiel Sepeng Invitational in Potchefstroom on 7 April. Her main goal is the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July, deciding between 800m or 1500m, targeting sub-4:05 in the latter. 'I’m excited to be back' and injury-free, she added.
