Prudence Sekgodiso brought the first world title in South African history in the 800m indoor event

Prudence Sekgodiso became the first South African to win a gold medal in the 800m at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. The 23-year-old athlete, who was a finalist at her Olympic debut in Paris last year, won the world indoor title in Nanjing in 1:58.40 min. The South African’s performance is the season’s best in the world.

Ethiopian athlete Nigist Getachew recorded a personal best of 1:59.63 min for the silver medal. Patricia Silva set a new Portuguese national record for the bronze – 1:59.80 min.

These were all three athletes’ first medals at a major championship.

American Josh Hoey became the men’s world indoor 800m champion in 1:44.77 min. Belgian athlete Eliott Crestan added a silver medal at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing to his bronze at Glasgow 2024. He clocked 1:44.81 for the silver medal. Honduras-born Elvin Josue Canales (Spain) took bronze in 1:45.03 min.