Kenyan superstar David Rudisha turns on style to win 800m title for second Olympics in a row
WORLD champion and world record holder David Rudisha produced a last-lap kick to become the first man in 52 years to defend the Olympic title.
SEBASTIAN Coe famously declared in London four years ago that Usain Bolt was good but David Rudisha was magnificent.
The two-time Olympic 1500m champion, who was the boss of the 2012 event, had just watched the Kenyan break the 800m world medal.
Well, you could mount a case again that Rudisha has upstaged Bolt after a stunning defence of his Olympic crown in Rio.
In many ways the two superstars have mirrored each other this season with doubts about both of them yet they delivered when it mattered most.
When Rudisha finished third at the Kenyan trials, major questions were being asked about his title defence.
At the final Diamond League meet in London before the Games last month - where Bolt also made his return from injury - the 2015 world champion made a statement.
He ran the fastest time for the year - 1min43.35sec - and declared he was back.
Last night he confirmed that, surging over the final 300m for an historic victory in the slick time of 1:42.15sec.
Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi took silver in a national record 1:42.61sec with American Clayton Murphy grabbing bronze in a personal best 1:42.93sec.
The race was set up for Rudisha by his countryman Alfred Kipketer who went berserk in the opening lap before the defending champion took over with 300m remaining.
From there he was never going to be beaten.
“I am so excited. It is the greatest moment of my career,” Rudisha said.
“Running 1:42, it’s just fantastic. I had no doubts before. The feeling in my body was good. It is great to win such a big competition, my second gold.”
“It’s been a very difficult (year). I have stayed focused and positive. My coach has been great and given me hope.”
Rudisha is a regular visitor to Australia and based himself in Melbourne during March, kicking off his Olympic year on our domestic circuit.
####
Originally published as Kenyan superstar David Rudisha turns on style to win 800m title for second Olympics in a row