Rudisha, Rotich, Korir through to Glasgow semis
Kenya's David Rudisha competes in the heats of the men's 800m athletics event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 29, 2014. PHOTO | ADRIAN DENNIS | AFP
What you need to know:
- Rudisha glided home in a gun-to-tape performance, cruising at the 400m mark in 52.23 before winning the first heat in 1:46.89.
- In men’s long jump, Tera Kiplangat posted 7.61m, finishing sixth to qualify for the final from Group A.
Olympic champion and World record holder David Rudisha on Tuesday joined compatriots Ferguson Rotich and Evans Korir in qualifying for the men’s 800m semi-final at the Hampden Park.
Rudisha, who was making his debut at the Commonwealth Games, glided home in a gun-to-tape performance, cruising at the 400m mark in 52.23 before winning the first heat in 1:46.89.
Rotich, winner of the national trials and championships, settled for second in the second heat in 1:48.70, behind winner Jeffrey Riseley from Australia in 1:48.63.
Kipkorir came third in 1:15.88 behind Aaron Evans (1:50.48) from Bermuda and 2012 London Olympics silver medallist Nijel Amos(1:50.56) from Botswana.
“I was just taking it easy today considering that this is my first international race since the 2012 Olympics," said Rudisha, who received the wildest cheers as he stormed home first. “I am lucky to be back after only starting training in March this year after recuperating from an injury.”
WORLD RECORD
However, Rudisha, who won the Olympics in a world-record time of 1:40.91, cautioned that he was not yet back to his old shape but he was excited, having made it to the semi-finals.
“I am surprised that I came back in March to post 1:43.34 this season,” said Rudisha, who posted the time when he won the Glasgow leg of the Diamond League two weeks ago.
Rudisha said he just wants to focus as he takes it easy ahead of the World Championships next season.
“I know we have strong and good athletes, like Amos (Nijel) in this championship, but I know they will struggle a bit and that is why I want to take it easy,” said Rudisha.
Amos said Rudisha had been a great inspiration and that the Kenyan was still the king despite having beaten him in Eugene and Monaco.
“It’s not easy to come from an injury after one year to do what Rudisha has done. He fights like a soldier,” said Amos.
KIPLANGAT THROUGH
In the men’s long jump, Tera Kiplangat posted 7.61m, finishing sixth to qualify for the final from Group A. Kiplangat posted the results in his second jump after a first of 7.42 and last of 7.57. Gregory Rutherford won the group in 8.05m.
Another Kenyan Elijah Kiplagat Kimitei faltered in all his jumps and was eliminated from Group B.
Kenya’s sole representative in the women’s 400m hurdles, Florence Wasike, finished last in the third heat in 59.29 to exit. Kaliese Spencer from Jamaica was swift to win the heat in 55.45 to storm the semi-finals.
