(CNN) -- South African athletics officials have rallied behind controversial new running star Caster Semenya, who won the women's world 800 meters title just hours after the sport's governing body asked for the 18-year-old's gender to be verified. Semenya celebrates her gold, which came just hours after the IAAF called for a gender test on the athlete. Semenya crushed her rivals by streaking away to secure victory in a time of one minute 55.45 seconds -- the best in the world this year and more than eight seconds quicker than her fastest effort of 2008. She finished more than two seconds clear of second-placed Kenyan Janeth Jepkosgei, the 2007 champion.
@highlight
NEW: Caster Semenya receives gold medal in ceremony Thursday
@highlight
South African athletics officials rally behind controversial new women's star
@highlight
Semenya scored runaway victory in women's 800 meters title race
@highlight
She ran in the final after ruling body asked for gender test on the teenager
@highlight
The 18-year-old's father also insists that she is female
Dressed in the yellow and green track suit of @placeholder, Semenya mouthed the words of their national anthem as her country's flag was raised.