Biography of Caster Semenya
Identity Details:
Famous Name: Caster Semenya.
Full True Names: Mokgadi Caster Semenya.
Surname origin: Possibly from Ga-Semenya Village (Fastest route: ETA = 51 min (42.2 km) from : Masehlong Village.
Date of Birth: 7 January 1991
Place of Birth: Masehlong Village (Ga-Mmasehlong).
Province of Birth: Limpopo
Nationality: South African by Birth
Engagement Year: Probably in March 2013
Marital Status: Married
Wife (Spouse): Violet Raseboya
Married Since: 2015
Traditional Wedding in: December 2015
Location of Traditional Wedding: Ga-Dikgale Village
Province Location: Limpopo
White Wedding in: December 2017
Venue: Chez Charlene Wedding Venue, in Tshwane (Pretoria)
Location of White Wedding: Tshwane (Pretoria)
Province Location: Gauteng
Height: 1.78m
Weight: 70kg
Gender: Female
Home Family Details:
Father's Name: Jacob Semenya
Mothers Name: Dorcus Semenya
Caster Semenya’s Grandmother: Maphuthi Sekgala (80 year old in 2009)
Father and Mother Married: Yes.
Number of Siblings: 4 Siblings.
Siblings specifications: She has 3 Sisters and 1 brother.
Secondary Education:
Name of Secondary School: Nthema Secondary School
Institution Location: Limpopo Province
Name of City Location: Mahikeng
Tertiary Education:
Name of 1st Institution: University of North West (NWU)
Institution Location: North West Province
Name of City Location: Potchefstroom
Course Attended: National Diploma in Sports Science
Name of 2nd Institution: Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
Institution Location: Gauteng Province
Name of City Location: Tshwane
Career in Athletics
In 2008:
In 2008 Mokgadi was not known by the World to be having the capacity to can win a race.
Mokgadi participated in one of her 1st big Races World Junior Championships 800m Race in a northern City called Bydgoszcz, in Poland.
She finished this race in 7th Place in a time of 2:11.98
This Proves that Caster just like any other athlete, does not have an advantage of just winning a race, she has to train more and more just like any other athlete to can win.
If she had an unfair advantage, over the other Athletes, then she would have won this Race but she did not win it.
This proves that our Human Body improves its Performance chances of Success by Training more and more until you become fit enough to can win a Race, from then if you can continue practicing in that High level, then Chances are that, you will just keep on Winning those Medals.
Mokgadi participated in her 2nd Biggest Race , at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, in India.
She won gold at that 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games with a time of 2:04.23.
She amazed the entire world and Her Home Country by winning the Gold Medal.
In 2011:
Mokgadi returned to take part in the IAAF Women 800m Race.
Mokgadi won the 800m Semi Final race and by doing that she qualified for the 800m woman Final Race.
During the IAAF 800m Final, Mokgadi was running well enough to can lead the race in the Final 100 to 200 meters.
Then around the last 100 meters, the Russian athlete Mariya Savinova, sprinted past Mokgadi.
Then the 2011 IAAF 800m Final Race ended with Mariya Savinova being the Race Winner and Mokgadi finished as second place.
So Mariya Savinova won the Gold Medal and Mokgadi won the Silver Medal, before the finish line, leaving her to finish second
Then about 6 years later in 2017, the IAAF announced that Mariya Savinova was banned from the IAAF
Mariya Savinova was banned by IAAF for doping (for using illegal substances to can win Races).
After Mariya Savinova was banned, then it was declared that the 2011 800m Final race records will be changed.
Mariya Savinova Gold medal was taken away and that Gold Medal was given to Caster Mokgadi Semenya.
So in 2017 Mokgadi was officially declared the official winner of the 2011 IAAF Women 800m Final Race.
In 2013:
According to the IAAF Records, On 08 September 2013, Mokgadi Caster Semenya run a time of 1:58.92 Seconds During a 800m Race
This Race was held at Guidobaldi, in Rieti in Italy.
According to IAAF Records 2013, was the 3rd Slowest{lowest} Running time that Mokgadi had ever run since the year 2009.
In 2009:
At the African Junior Championships, Semenya won the 800m with the times of 1:56.72.
At the African Junior Championships, Semenya won 1500m races with the times of 4:08.01.
The 800 m time was the world leading time in 2009 at that date.
It was also a national record and a championship record.
Semenya simultaneously beat the Senior and Junior South African records held by Zelda Pretorius at 1:58.85 and Zola Budd at 2:00.90, respectively.
On the Same Year She set the fastest time of the year. She won gold in the 800 meters at the World Championships with a time of 1:55.45 in the final.
In Short 2009 was a Good Year for Semenya.
In 2009 After this Achievements the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations), Requested that Mokgadi Caster Semenya, must go for Gender Testing.
In 2010:
That 2009 Gender Testing Request by the IAAF Started to Negatively Affect Caster Semenya, both on and off the Field of Athletics as a Career.
By 2010, Mokgadi was Denied access to Participate in the 2010 Yellow Pages Series V Track and Field event in her Own Country South Africa, because by that time the IAAF Gender Testing were not Completed.
This Yellow Pages event was held in the Stellenbosch area, about one Hour away from Cape Town, in the Western Cape Province.
The IAAF cleared Semenya to return to international competition at around 6 July 2010.
But due to lack of Full Fitness, lack of good Form, because of the Suspension due to IAAF Gender Testing, Semenya also did not enter, to Participate in the World Junior Championships and the African Championships, which were both held in July 2010.
She decided to Train and to Prepare for the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be held in October 2010.
In September just about a Month until the 2010 Commonwealth Games Started, Semanya went to Participate in the IAAF games held in Milano in Italy, unfortunately she got injured somewhere there.
Because of the Injuries Semenya was unable to can participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
In Short 2010 was a Hard and Challenging Year for Semenya.
In 2012:
Mokgadi Caster Semenya had qualified for the 2012 Olympics
This Olympics were officially called the 2012 Summer Olympics
This Olympics were held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England.
During the Opening Ceremony Semenya was carrying the South African Flag, leading the entire South African Olympic Team.
During the 800m Final Race, Mokgadi Caster Semenya run past more than 5 other athletes within the last 200m,
Until she was Close to Winning the race, but she finished the race being in the Second position with a time of 1:57.23 seconds,
Semenya could not pass Mariya Savinova of Russia, who finished the Race as the Winner at time of 1:56.19 Seconds.
At this 2012 London Olympics 800m final, Mokgadi Caster Semenya won the Silver Medal and Mariya Savinova won the Gold Medal.
A few years Later in November 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency made a ruling that about 5 Russian Athletes including Mariya Savinova,
Should be given a lifetime Ban for doping violations at the Olympics.
Then in 2017 on February the 10th, the CAS {Court of Arbitration for Sport} Officially disqualified Mariya Savinova's results, they backdated this Disqualification to July 2010.
Then the International Olympic Committee, Rewarded the London 2012 medals and Caster Semenya's Silver Medal was upgraded to Gold Medal.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) Track Records of Caster Mokgadi Semenya
Race Location Position Time Date
1500m Rustenburg 1 4:33:25 28 March 2008
800m Tshwane 1 2:08:00 18 May 2008
4x400mRelay Stellenbosch 2 3:38:86 14 March 2009
400m Germiston 1 52:54 26 March 2011
800m Germiston 1 2:01:77 26 March 2011
800m Durban 1 2:02:10 10 April 2011
1500m Durban 1 4:12:93 10 April 2011
400m Bellville 1 53:62 03 March 2012
800m Tshwane 1 1:59:58 20 April 2012
800m Potchefstroom 1 2:04:58 8/9 May 2015
1500m Stellenbosch 1 4:21:63 24/25 April 2015
3000m Stellenbosch 1 9:49:85 20 April 2015
400m Stellenbosch 1 0:50:74 16 April 2016
1500m Durban 1 4:01:99 24 June 2016
4x400mRelay Durban 1 3:28:49 26 June 2016
300m Sasolburg 1 37:22 28 March 2017
3000m Potchefstroom 1 9:36:29 15 March 2017
4x100mRelay Tshwane(Tuks) 1 0:46:69 15-17 March 2018
1500m Tshwane(Tuks) 1 4:10:68 15-17 March 2018
800m Tshwane(Tuks) 1 1:57:80 15-17 March 2018
4x400mRelay Tshwane(Tuks) 1 3:40:57 15-17 March 2018
1500m Germiston 1 4:13:59 07 Jan 2019
5000m Germiston 1 16:05:97 07 Jan 2019
200m Tshwane(Tuks) 1 23:42 07 Jan 2020
Below Watch Videos Showcasing Caster Semenya’s Races.
Continuing Career in Athletics
In 2014:
According to the IAAF Records, On 05 June 2014. Mokgadi Caster Semenya run a time of 2:02.66 Seconds During a 800m Race
This Race was held at Olimpico, in Roma in Italy.
According to IAAF Records 2014, was the Number 1 Slowest{lowest} Running time that Mokgadi had ever run since the year 2009.
During the South African Championships 800m Race held in Tshwane {Pretoria}, Semenya finished the Race as the Winner, with a time of 2:03.05 Seconds.
In 2015:
According to the IAAF Records, On 26 August 2015. Mokgadi Caster Semenya run a time of 1:59.59 Seconds During a 800m Race
This Race was held the National Stadium, in Beijing, in China.
According to IAAF Records 2014, was the 2nd Slowest{lowest} Running time that Mokgadi had ever run since the year 2009.
In July 2015, IAAF policy on the high natural levels of testosterone in women {hyperandrogenism Policy}, was Suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
This testosterone Policy against women, was suspended during the ruling of a Case between Dutee Chand of India against AFI {Athletics Federation of India} and The IAAF {International Association of Athletics Federations}.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, ruling Concluded that, there was a lack of evidence in proving that testosterone does increase female athletes performance.
The Court also Ruled that the IAAF had two years to provide Compelling evidence, to can support their Policy.
In 2016:
During the South African National Championships, Mokgadi Caster Semenya took part in 3 Different Races, in the Women’s 400m, 800m and also in the 1500m Race.
This 3 Races took place on 16 April 2020 in South Africa.
Mokgadi won all 3 of those Races, in a Single day and all those 3 Races, all took place within a Time of 5 Hours.
Mokgadi Caster Semenya run this Times: 400m = 50.74 Seconds, 800m = 1:58.45 Seconds, 1500m = 4:10.93 Seconds.
Mokgadi Semenya, set a new South African national record for a 800m Race, winning the Race with a Time of 1:55:33.
During the Rio Olympics in 2016, On 20 August, Mokgadi Semenya won Gold Medal, in the Women’s 800m Race with a time of 1:55:28.
But after winning Gold in the Rio Olympics 800m Races, other athletes namely: Lynsey Sharp, Joanna Jóźwik, were complaining saying that it is not fair that Semenya won the Race.
In 2017:
Caster Semenya took part in both the IAAF 800m and 1500m Races
On 04 August 2017, Mokgadi finished the 1500m Race in 3rd Place, winning Bronze, with a time of 4:02.84 Seconds, at the Olympic Stadium, in London, in England.
On 13 August 2017, Mokgadi finished the 800m Race in 1st Place, winning Gold, with a time of 1:55.16 Seconds, at the Olympic Stadium, in London, in England.
In 2018:
During the South African National Championships, Mokgadi Caster Semenya took part in 2 Different Races, in the Women’s 800m and also in the 1500m Race.
Mokgadi won all 2 of those Races, she won both the 800m and the 1500m Races.
Mokgadi Caster Semenya ran this Times: 800m = 1:57.80 Seconds, 1500m = 4:10.68 Seconds.
She had improved her 2016 winning times for both races.
Semenya took part in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which took place in the Gold Coast, in Australia.
Mokgadi won both the 800m and the 1500m Races.
Mokgadi ran 800m = 1:56.68 Seconds, 1500m = 4:00.71 Seconds, this was recorded as the Commonwealth Games Record, for both the 800m Race and the 1500m Race.
Mokgadi Semenya also took part in the 2018 African Championships, which took place in Asaba, in Nigeria.
Mokgadi won both the 400m and the 800m Races.
Mokgadi ran 400m = 49.96 Seconds and the 800m = 1:56.06 Seconds, this 800m finish was recorded as the African Championships Record.
The IAAF announced new "differences of sex development" rules on April 2018, that required athletes with specific disorders of sex development,
testosterone levels of 5 nmol/L and above, and certain androgen sensitivity to take medication to lower their testosterone levels.
This IAAF Rules only Applied to those athletes competing in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m Races.
After this IAAF Announcement many people thought the rule change was designed specifically to target Semenya.
After Receiving this IAAF Announcement Mokgadi Semenya, on 19 June 2018 Semenya announced that she will legally Challenge the new IAAF Rules.
In 2019:
During the 2019 South African National Championships, Mokgadi Caster Semenya took part in 2 Different Races, in the Women’s 1500m and also in the 5000m Race.
Mokgadi won both of those Races, she ran this Times: 1500m = 4:13.59 Seconds, 5000m = 16:05.97 Seconds.
This 2019 South African National Championships Games, took place in Germiston, Johannesburg, South Africa.
On the 1st of May 2019, the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected Mokgadi Caster Semenya challenge of the new IAAF New Rules.
After Caster Semenya lost challenging those new IAAF New Rules, those new IAAF Rules were applied from the 8th of May 2019.
Then On 3 June 2019, after Losing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Semenya appealed that judgment at the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.
Then the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland advised both the IAAF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, to Suspend those new IAAF Rules, until it reaches its own findings on this same matter {new IAAF Rules = Eligibility Regulations for the Female Classification for athletes with differences of sex development }.
Then On 30 July 2019, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, Changed and it reversed its previous ruling that had suspended the Court of Arbitration for Sport decision and the IAAF New rules.
Because of this Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland 30 July ruling, Mokgadi Caster Semenya missed and did not take part in the IAAF World Athletics Championships, which were held in Doha in October 2019, because Semenya at that time was busy still Continuing with her Appeal.
This also means that Mokgadi Caster Semenya, was not able to can Defend her 800m Title at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in 2019.
In 2020:
On 14 March 2020, It was reported that Mokgadi Caster Semenya, is aiming to run in the 200 meters at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, competing over a distance that would allow her to avoid World Athletics regulations limiting her testosterone levels.
During Friday 13 March 2020 Semenya released a statement saying: “My dream has always been, and will continue to be, to compete at the highest level of sport,” Semenya, 29, said in a statement on Friday".
But Mokgadi must still earn her place in Tokyo, by being able to can run with the Qualifying time of 22.80 Seconds.
Mokgadi's Personal best time in the 200m Race is 24.26 Seconds, she needs to run at least 3 Seconds faster to can qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
After the 30 July 2019 Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland ruling, Caster Semenya launched another appeal and Appealed at the Swiss Federal Tribunal {Switzerland’s Supreme Court} against a Court of Arbitration for Sport {CAS} ruling that supported the IAAF New Testosterone Rules.
On 8 September 2020, Mokgadi Caster Semenya lost her appeal at the Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court {Swiss Federal Tribunal} against both the CAS Ruling and the IAAF New Testosterone Rules.
On 19 September 2020, it was reported The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), have agreed to embark on a joint global and national advocacy, campaign in support of Caster Semenya and all black female athletes.
{Please Visit link: https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/gender-equality-commission-to-engage-govt-un-on-iaafs-discriminatory-regulations/}.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), said that says it will engage with government, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as the United Nations to ensure that what it calls ‘discriminatory’ regulations of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) are not implemented.
In 2021:
On Thursday, 25 February 2021, it was reported that the 2x Olympic Champion Gold Medal, Mokgadi Caster Semenya, has released a statement regarding the IAAF Ruling that was made against her since on April 2018.
The Statement reported that, she has filed for a Lawsuit at the European Court of Human Rights.
To challenge the IAAF Testosterone Ruling, that prevents Semenya from participating in races of between 400m to a Mile (1500m), unless she accepts to taking Hormone suppressing Drugs.
The Statement further explains that, she is filing to ask the European Court of Human Rights to Rule, That Switzerland, has failed in their obligation to can protect against the violation of Mokgadi Caster Semenya’s Human rights, as the IAAF runs under the jurisdiction of the Constitution of Switzerland.
Semenya’s Lawyers say that they will argue, that the European Court of Human Rights, must act to end Human Rights violations.
In 2022:
On Wednesday the 23rd of March 2022, the Cape Town leg of the ASA Grand Prix series,
Went underway and Caster Semenya took part in the Women's 5000m Race.
The ASA Grand Prix series, took place in the Mother City, at the Green Point Stadium.
This Stadium was build in around 2009 for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
The 31 year Old Semenya was aiming to win 5000m Race so that she could qualify for the
2022 world championships.
Semenya won the 5000m race, with a Personal Best Time of 08:54.97
This means that she has improved her personal best (PB) time by more than 8 Seconds.
The Next Grand Prix Series will be taking place in 2 Weeks time on the 6th of April, in Potchefstroom.
Semenya’s 800m Race Progression:
Year Result Venue Date
2008 2:04.23 Pune (IND) 16.10.2008
2009 1:55.45 Olympiastadion, Berlin (GER) 19.08.2009
2010 1:58.16 Milano (ITA) 09.09.2010
2011 1:56.35 DS, Daegu (KOR) 04.09.2011
2012 1:57.23 Olympic Stadium, London (GBR) 11.08.2012
2013 1:58.92 Guidobaldi, Rieti (ITA) 08.09.2013
2014 2:02.66 Stadio Olimpico, Roma (ITA) 05.06.2014
2015 1:59.59 National Stadium, Beijing (CHN) 26.08.2015
2016 1:55.28 Estádio Olímpico, Rio de Janeiro (BRA) 20.08.2016
2017 1:55.16 Olympic Stadium, London (GBR) 13.08.2017
2018 1:54.25 Stade Charléty, Paris (FRA) 30.06.2018
2019 1:54.98 Khalifa Inter Stadium, Doha (QAT) 03.05.2019