Caster semenya commenced her return to competitive track and field in Lappeeranta Finland on Thursday night securing victory in the 800m in two minutes 4.22 seconds.
Starting in lane 4 a focussed semenya lost no time in shadowing the kenyan pace maker who took the field through 400m in 1:02.05 before moving out for the South African to take the lead.
A controlled run saw the 19 year old do enough to keep the lead before opening a two metre gap at the line which she crossed in 2 minutes 4.22 seconds. Although well off the 1:55.45 gold medal clocking at the Berlin World Championships last August, it was a useful first outing after the 11 month ‘gender- testing’ exile from the sport. semenya will compete again in Finland on Sunday as part of her focus to qualify for the SA Commonwealth Games Team.