SYDNEY - Two-time Olympic and world champion Caster Semenya from South Africa will attempt a second gold at the Commonwealth Games as she runs in the women's 800-metre final on Friday.
Semenya has already won the 1,500m in a games record time earlier this week. The rare middle-distance double gold feat was last achieved at a Commonwealth Games in 1986 by Kirsty Wade of Wales.
On Thursday, Semenya, 27, posted the fastest time in the 800m semifinal heat in 1:59.26, the only sprinter to run under 2 minutes.
READ MORE: Semenya smashes Budd's record en route to Commonwealth Games gold
She will face challenges from Kenyan duo Margaret Nyairera Wambui and Emily Cherotich Tuei, as well as from England's Alexandra Bell.
27 gold medals are up for grabs on day nine of the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Few of the events are semi-finals, ahead of the weekend showdown.
In women's basketball semi, New Zealand will face Australia, while Canada will face England.
In another semis competition, Australia will meet England, while India will play New Zealand in the men's hockey.
The women's Rugby Sevens will debut at the Commonwealth Games with eight teams in total, as Canada takes on South Africa for the historic first match on Friday.
READ MORE: Historic first for Springbok Women's Sevens
Australia, who claimed the first-ever women's Olympic gold at Rio 2016, will play against Wales in pool round in the evening.
In wrestling, four more gold medals are on offer. Canada and India won two apiece on Thursday.
In women's doubles table tennis, players from the same country could play each other in the finals on Friday, as two Indian pairs face off Malaysia and Singapore in the semifinals earlier in the day.