Despite unforgiving rainfall, Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ané du Plessis (née Van Dyk) managed to hold on for second position in the women’s javelin throw at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland on Wednesday, 20 August, 2025.
Du Plessis landed the javelin at 58.89m, and even though she was well short of Serbian athlete Adriana Vilagos, who secured victory with a 63.02m throw, Du Plessis did enough to earn her third Diamond League podium finish of the season.
Also competing in the challenging wet conditions, another South African athlete gave her best performances of the night.
After putting up a fight in the women’s 800m race while trying to stick with the pace of Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain, world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso faded in the closing stages.
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Hodgkinson tore clear to win in 1:55.69, setting a meeting record, while Sekgodiso settled for sixth place in 1:58.76.
“We are delighted by the performances of our athletes at this meeting where Jo-Ané delivered a brilliant effort to claim the silver medal in bad weather, showing her class and determination on one of the biggest stages in world athletics.
“Her achievement is another proud moment for South Africa and a reflection of the hard work she has put into her career. Congratulations to herself, the coach and her support team.
“Prudence, showed courage and potential by finishing sixth in a very competitive 800m field and we are excited about the path ahead of her,” said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa.
With one leg remaining in the league phase of the Diamond League series, to be held in Brussels on Friday night, both Du Plessis and Sekgodiso have already qualified for the series final taking place in Zurich next week.
Original Copy: Athletics South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Despite unforgiving rainfall, Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ané du Plessis (née Van Dyk) managed to hold on for second position in the women’s javelin throw at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland on Wednesday, 20 August, 2025 File Photo: Supplied
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