'Sesi wa Masai is my hero' -Moletjie rising star Kamogelo Machaka on how Caster Semenya inspires her

Caster Semenya's reign on the global stage has left an indelible mark on South African athletics and now her legacy is sparking the next generation of top runners. Among those inspired is Moletjie's own Kamogelo Selelo Machaka, a rising middle-distance talent who dreams of following in the Olympian's footsteps and putting their rural Limpopo village back on the athletics map.

"Sesi was Masai (Semenya) is my hero. I look up to her. I want to put Moletjie on the map like she did," Machaka told #TheTopRunner.

Kamogelo Machaka in action during the ASA cross-country champs in Middelburg on 6 September. Photo Credit: Lebogang Pita.

For the Limpopo Athletics rising star, Semenya is more than just a champion. She is proof that someone from humble beginnings can rise to the top of world sport. Growing up in the same community as the two-time Olympic gold medallist has fuelled her belief that she too can break barriers and turn obstacles into opportunities.

The Moletjie Athletics Club youngster started running three years ago, encouraged by a school teacher. Since then she has made steady progress, going from crossing the line among the last finishers to a winner. After finishing eleventh in her first South African School Athletics (SASA) cross-country champs in Kimberley last year, she clocked 3:59.88 in the heats of the girls' U12 1 200m at the primary schools track and field championships in March, before finishing the final in 04:17.37 to take 12^th place.

Machaka showed her pedigree in her debut Athletics South Africa (ASA) cross-country championships in Middelburg on September 6 with a stunning performance, winning the girls' U12 3km race in 10:54.

The Moletjie athlete looks up Two-time women's 800m Olympics gold medallist Caster Semenya. Photo Credit: Lebogang Pita.

"I was happy with the achievement. The race was fun. I ran well and it's satisfying because I managed to run better than I did at last year’s schools champs in Kimberley. It’s all a reward for my hard work. My coach trains me well and I know I can go far if I remain humble and dedicated," she said.

This determination is what drives Machaka through the challenges of training with limited resources in rural Limpopo. She knows the road ahead will be long and demanding, but with Semenya as a shining example, she believes she can carve her own path to the world stage.

"I'm going far in this sport."