Semenya shatters 20-year-old mark in Berlin, Wilson runs top time by an American

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Ajee’ Wilson might still not be able to get past South African star Caster Semenya, but every time she has raced the reigning World and Olympic champion this summer, the results have been memorable.

Their final meeting of the year Sunday at the ISTAF Berlin came in the 600 meters, a seldom-run outdoor race.

But Semenya and Wilson again took advantage of the opportunity, producing the two fastest times in history at Berlin Olympic Stadium.

Semenya clocked an all-time world best of 1 minute, 21.77 seconds, eclipsing the 1997 mark of 1:22.63 held by Cuba’s Ana Fidelia Quirot. Semenya’s performance won’t be considered a world record, since the IAAF doesn’t recognize the event as record eligible.

Wilson ran 1:22.39, the fastest outdoor time by an American by more than three seconds. Meredith Valmon had run the previous best U.S. mark of 1:25.91 in 1995.

Wilson had run the No. 3 indoor 600 time in history, including the second-fastest effort by an American, when she clocked 1:23.84 to win the USATF Indoor Championship in March in Albuquerque, N.M. Alysia Montano ran 1:23.59 in 2013 in New York.

Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba placed third Sunday in 1:23.18, elevating her to the No. 5 performer in history.

Semenya, Niyonsaba and Wilson were the top three finishers Aug. 13 in the 800 final at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in London, with Semenya becoming the No. 8 all-time performer by clocking 1:55.16. They also secured the top three spots July 21 at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco, with Wilson setting the American record by running 1:55.61.