BY WILLIAM NJUGUNA AND IAAF
After a brilliant run in Glasgow, the Olympic and world record holder now turns his focus on Commonwealth Games
Olympic 800 meter champion and world record holder David Rudisha has set his sights on winning the Commonwealth games title after a brilliant display at the Glasgow Diamond league meeting on Saturday
The stadium will host the Club Games in two weeks and the former world champion said he is in good shape for the games.
“The Commonwealth Games is big in Kenya,” explained Rudisha. “Personally, I have never been to the Commonwealths, so this will be my first time, and I want to add that medal to my tally. It’s really a great opportunity.”added Rudisha
He added: “It’s a great feeling to come here and test the field and the track ahead of the Commonwealth Games, it was a great experience,” said Rudisha.
Rudisha clocked the fatest time of the year 1:43.34 equalling the time compatriot Asbel Kiprop ran in Paris a week ago.
It may not have been as quick as he’d hoped, but Rudisha still delivered a solo sub-53 second final lap which left the 15,000 fans gasping after pacemaker Sammy Tangui had run the first 400m in 49.94.
At that point, Rudisha was leading the chase five metres back but, once in front, he immediately opened a gap, stretching his long legs round the penultimate bend before sprinting down the back straight to go through 600m in 1:16.28, a penultimate 200m of 26.34.
Rudisha kicked again around the bend and entered the straight 20 metres clear before powering down the home straight and across the line.
“I am getting back into shape and I’m happy to run a season’s best time despite the conditions not being the best for a perfect time,” said Rudisha. “I’m happy to have done what I came for.”
It was the 15th Diamond League win for the Olympic champion’s career and takes him to the top of the this year’s Diamond Race ahead of Olympic silver medallist Nijel Amos.
The Botswanan chose to run the 400m in Glasgow, where he finished last in 46.34 in the non-Diamond League event won by his compatriot Issac Makwala in 44.71, while Andre Olivier followed Rudisha home over two laps of Hampden Park.
The South African looks likely to be Rudisha’s main rival at Commonwealth Games here but he was more than two seconds back in 1:45.65.
It was a happy return to the UK for Rudisha nearly two years after his historic world record in the London 2012 Olympic Games final, a race he described this week as the “greatest ever”.
Silas Kiplagat warmed up for his Commonwealth Games title defence with a supreme run in the men’s 1,500m. He surged forward as pacer Vincent Kibet left the race with about 300m to go a lead he confidently maintained to win in 3:32.4 as Moroccan Abdelaati Iguider closed in for second in 3:33.20. Kenya’s Nixon Chepseba faded to seventh with Bethwell Birgen 12th.
Kenya’s world champion Milcah Chemos ran her fastest time of the year, 9:21.91 for third. Read more…
Courtesy of the-star.co.ke