DAEGU ― Usain Bolt is a household but what about the dominant 800-meter runner, David Rudisha?
Kenya’s Rudisha took his rightful spot at the top of the podium at the World Championship in Daegu on Tuesday, after a long time coming.
Though the 22-year-old Kenyan achieved feats arguably greater than the Jamaican, he has been hidden from the spotlight of international athletics.
David Rudisha holds the Kenyan national flag after winning his first international adult title in Daegu on Tuesday. (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)
Rudisha, unbeaten since his semifinal dropout at the 2009 championship in Berlin, tallied his 30th consecutive victory when he ran through the finish line at 1 minute 43.91 seconds.
“I controlled the race from the start; that was my plan. I did not want to make a mistake. And I also knew that I was in good shape,” said Rudisha on Tuesday
Within seconds of the start of the race, Rudisha comfortably took the lead after the first bend, a feat made easy by the long strides of the 192-centimeter runner.
“I spared my energy until the last 150m,”he said.
After controlling the race throughout the middle 500 meters, Rudisha simply blew the pack away at the last 150-meter stretch of the race.
His 800-meter technique is unique to slightly longer races like the 1,500m, but he executes it flawlessly.
And Rudisha can expect a huge ceremony from his tribesmen, the Massai, in Kenya when he returns, with yet another ceremonial beef-fest to take place honoring his first international title.
After Rudisha set two world records in 2010 ― including breaking the 14-year-old 1:41.11 record ― within a week of each other, 50 cattle were slaughtered in his honor.
Although the Kenyans have been sweeping the long distance races at the championship in Daegu, the medalists usually come from the Kalenjin people.
And Rudisha doesn’t plan to let up anytime soon.
“After breaking the world records last year I don’t want it to stop there,” said Rudisha.
“Maybe after here we’ll see if I can try to push my time to get under 1:41.”
By Robert Lee (robert@heraldm.com)
