Rudisha sets 800m world record, again
The IAAF World Challenge in Reiti celebrated its 40th Anniversary in style Sunday as David Rudisha of Kenya lowered the men’s 800m world record to 1:41.01. Rudisha broke the world record he set last week in Berlin by 0.08 seconds. His accomplishment is the eighth world record broken at Reiti, and it was a welcome 40th birthday present for Reiti.
“I have always received a very warm welcome in Rieti. I love this track and the Rieti crowd who have always given their support. This record is for them,” said Rudisha.
The world record had stood for 13 years before Rudisha broke it last week in Berlin with a time of 1:41.09. The previous record of 1:41.11 was set by Wilson Kipketer of Denmark.
“I just knew I was in good shape. The conditions were perfect. I expected to break two records in seven days,” said Rudisha. “I want to return to training for next year because 2011 will be a World Championships record.”
Boaz Kiplagat, also of Kenya, finished in second place with a time of 1:42.95, and Nick Symmonds of the United States finished third with a time of 1:43.76, a personal best. European silver medallist, Michael Rimmer of Great Britain ran the 800m in 1:43.89, another personal best.
In the men’s 100m, Nesta Carter of Jamaica tied American Tyson g*y’s season best time of 9.78 seconds. g*y finished first in Diamond League standings after winning the final race of the season in Brussels on 27 August. Carter finished fourth in league standings, but finished second in the race last Sunday against g*y.
In the Reiti race, Ryan Bailey of the United States finished second with a time of 9.88, and Mario Forsythe of Jamaica took third with a time of 9.95. Christophe Lemaitre set a new French record with a time of 9.97 and Jaysuma Saidy Ndure set a Norwegian record with a time of 10:00.
Next year’s 100m Diamond League season will be exciting with the close competition and the expected return of Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell.
The women’s 400m hurdles saw a major upset as Kalesie Spencer of Jamaica fell after hitting the final hurdle. She had a comfortable lead before making the critical error in the final stretch. Spencer won the final four events of the Diamond League meets taking the Diamond Trophy with 24 points, 16 points ahead of second place Zuzana Hejnova of the Czech Republic.
European champion Tatyana Firova of Russia took second ahead of Natasha Hastings of the United States.
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