David Rudisha eyes world title in Daegu – Athletics news
David Rudisha, the middle distance runner from Kenya, who also happens to be the world record holder in 800m run with a time clocked one minute and 41.01 seconds, said that he is all focused to bag the World Championships title in Daegu. The athlete gave
the statement just ahead of his run at the London Aviva Grand Prix.
While contesting his first race in London, the Kenyan will expect to face his friend, Abubaker Kaki, the double world indoor champion from Sudan, who is also cherishing his form well ahead of the World Championships in South Korea.
Commenting upon the challenge he is about to face on the Crystal Palace track, the Kenyan said, “I am looking forward to competing with my fried Abubaker Kaki. This will be our first meeting this season and we always give each other stiff opposition.”
As the saying goes, a quality challenge always leaves contestants more learned and the showdown between the two players will not only unearth their weaknesses to them, but will also make them sure of their strengths ahead of the big tournament in Daegu.
However, before appearing at the London competition, it was also imperative to dwell on to the reasons that caused a below-par performance of the world record holder.
Talking about the factors which had affected Rudisha’s performance in 2009’s World Championships, the Kenyan runner said, “At the 2009 World Championships I think the weather really affected me. Before we started out warm-up it started raining heavily. Things
didn’t go well for me because I felt like I had not done a good warm-up and when I got to the race I was not really happy in the last 200 metres.”
However, things have been altogether different for him this year as amid strenuous trainings, he is enjoying a new level of confidence. Moreover, he does not have any other thoughts in his mind, except the upcoming Daegu event.
However, he also hinted towards the fact that once the world championships event will be over, he will attempt to mark under a 1:41 finish. He was of the view, “At the moment I am focusing on winning the world title in Daegu, but maybe in the future I am
trying to run under 1:41. I’m feeling my shape is coming together well, and maybe after the World Championships I might decide to do one or two races to see if I can perform like last year, or faster.”
With Rudisha on track, the course record over the 800m distance in London, which stands at 1:43.22 seconds, will also be under threat. Given the current form he is in, the Kenyan is definitely looking good to make a mark in the all-important upcoming events.
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