World record-holder David Rudisha remains unbeaten in the 800m at the Adidas Grand Prix. For his fourth straight appearance at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in New York on Saturday (13), the Kenyan had set himself a goal of running a 1:43 and setting the world leading mark.
Coming off a muscle spasm sustained in Ostrava two weeks ago, he was able to fulfil the first part of his agenda, but came just short of achieving the second one.
The pace maker carried Rudisha through the first lap in 50.10. Rudisha was ahead of the competition in a comfortable enough position not to go all out in the closing stages and ended up winning in 1:43.58, just 0.02 slower than Mohammed Aman’s world-leading time.
“I was cautious today. I started easier and I didn’t push too hard in the end,” said the Olympic champion. “Now it’s time to go back to Kenya for two more weeks of training.”
Behind Rudisha, there was a surprise runner-up. USA’s Boris Berian lowered his personal best by almost one-and-a-half seconds, from 1:45.30 to 1:43.84. The 22-year-old will now approach the US Championships as the fastest man in the country and one of the favourites for a team berth for the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015.
France’s Pierre-Ambroise Bosse finished third in a European-leading mark of 1:43.88.
The pre-race favourite in the women’s 800m also confirmed her status. Ajee Wilson pleased the home crowd with a smooth race, leading from start to finish to win in 1:58.83, her second-fastest time of the season.
Experienced Kenyan Janeth Jepkosgei upstaged world indoor champion Chanelle Price on the home stretch, taking second in 1:59.37, hear fastest time in almost a year. Price went away with a third-place finish and a personal best of 1:59.47.
Courtesy of standardmedia.co.ke