Usain Bolt and David Rudisha emerge against fierce competitors in Monaco – Athletics news
The Samsung diamond league Herculis meet 2011 this year has been a tremendous display of skill, form and the potential in athletes. The reasons for such a tremendous event also included the resolve of the organizers, who wanted it to be the best competition
of the season.
As the tournament unfolded, it became evident that they had succeeded in achieving their goals. While performing at the star-studded field, even athletes like Usain Bolt and David Rudisha had to put forward their best performances to secure podium finishes
on the track.
Before lining-up for the competition, Bolt, the world’s fastest man from Jamaica, had conceded that he was not in a shape which was a requirement of the event. He was also just not in a form that could help him in kicking-off the contest with his traditional
confidence.
However, it was perhaps the embedded pace of the entire event and field that while keeping pace with rest of the rivals, he ended up marking his season’s best performance along with bagging his first title in the tournament. For finishing-off on the top
of the podium, he hit the finishing line in 9.88 seconds. Nevertheless, had he not been sluggish until the half-way mark, this performance could have been improved further.
Kicking-off the contest right after the gun, Bolt, was perhaps the last athlete to leave his block and by the half way point, encountering his countryman, Michael Frater, he looked rather vulnerable. This was the time when he expanded his long legs and unleashed
his strong strides. Continuing to build his pace, he finished just ahead of Nesta Carter, who also lowered his season’s best by 0.02 seconds. The third position in the run was claimed by America’s Michael Rodgers, who finished his race in 9.96 seconds.
Realising the fact that he could have improved his time further and pointing out the areas where he could not do well, Bolt, the title winner, said, “Technically-wise it was a good race. It wasn’t the best start. Other than that I think I executed well overall.”
In the 400m meet, Kenyan middle distance runner, David Rudisha, built on his winning streak and crossed the finishing line in one minute and 42.61 seconds. However, just like Bolt, emerging in the Monaco event was not as easy as it has been for Rudisha in
traditional races. Perhaps, this was the reason that while chasing him closely, Asbel Kiprop, also marked a new Personal Best of the season and finished the race in one minute and 43.15 seconds.
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