Prudence Sekgodiso secures a victory at the ASA Grand Prix

She clocked an impressive 1:59.01 in the 800m, dipping under the two-minute mark.

However, Sekgodiso admitted she had not intended to win the race, which carried a R5,000 prize.

Her disappointment was evident as Botswana’s Oratile Nowe, her closest rival, finished second in 1:59.46.

Originally, Sekgodiso had planned to compete in the 1500m, but with no other entrants, the event was cancelled, leading her to switch to the 800m, where she cruised to victory.

"Well, I didn't want to but the girls were slowing down, so I had no choice but to pass them. I'm glad that I maintained the sub two-minute, it shows that there's something big coming towards the World Championships that are coming up next week," Sekgodiso said.

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Sekgodiso stated that she initially wanted to give other athletes a chance to take the top spot on the podium.

However, to her disappointment, they held back out of respect for her, prompting her to seize the opportunity and go for the win.

"I kept on looking back, thinking where are these girls but they were far from me but it's nothing to really to worry about. We're still gonna keep the same momentum," she added.

Sekgodiso admits that she faces little competition locally and is eager for tougher challenges in Europe, where she will be pushed to her limits rather than cruising to victory in South Africa.

"Well, yes, I am looking forward to my international season. I just can't wait because for the past two weeks, I've been training for the 1500. The sub two-minute, I don't know how I did it but I just have the natural speed in me."