Chris Musumba
13 July 2011
Nairobi — World 800m record holder David Rudisha will on Thursday emerge from his hibernation and launch his bid for the World Championship, seeking to exorcise the Berlin 2009 tactical nightmare that ended his quest for gold medal in the semi finals.
Rudisha, 22, has since changed his running tactic after he was boxed in the final sprint at the Berlin Olympic Stadium and runs in front of the pack.
However, his build-up this season was affected by a three-month ankle injury, which he has since shaken off and went on to run 1:43.46 in Nancy, France.
He followed that performance with 1:44.15 run in Lausanne, which is slower compared to the 1:41.01 world record he set in Rieti, Italy last year.
He remains unbeaten in 17 races dating back to 2009. But that will count for nothing as he launches his campaign for the ticket to the World championship.
Kiprop on parade
To challenge him will be World silver medallist Alfred Kirwa Yego, Jackson Kivuva, Asbel Kiprop and Job Kinyor in a race that has attracted 52 men.
Kinyor is son to former Boston Marathon champion, Salina Kosgei. In the 1,500m race, Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop has his task cut out. A total of 52 athletes are seeking to make the team.
There is also Commonwealth Games champion, Silas Kiplagat, who has run a season best time of 3:32.15 in finishing second at the Diamond League meeting in Doha.
But the man who is in great shape and will be spoiling for a fight is Nixon Kiplimo Chepseba, who posted a time of 3:31.42 in winning the Diamond League race in Shanghai ahead of Asbel Kiprop (3:31.76).
Chepseba’s time remains the world lead and, though Kiprop has threatened to abandon the four-lap race if he does not break the 3:30 minute mark, it is yet to be seen if he will weather the storm at the trials, leave alone in Daegu.
Then there is the return of Haron Keitany, the world indoor bronze medallist. Keitany, nick-named ‘Land Cruiser,’ is eyeing the ticket after a long spell with an injury.
He has a season best time of 3:31.86 he attained in finishing second at the Hengelo Grand Prix in June.
There will also be a hot chase from World junior champion Caleb Mwangangi 3:32.02, Augustine Choge 3:33.38 and Daniel Kipchirchir Komen 3:33.41.
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