Rudisha’s warning

By Gilbert Wandera

Olympic champion and world record holder David Rudisha insists that it will take special effort to break his record set last month during the London Olympic Games.

Rudisha clocked 1:40.91 in the final of the 800m in London breaking his previous record of 1:41.01 set last year.

Speaking to journalists after receiving Sh2million from Safaricom as a cash reward for winning gold in London and setting a new world record, Rudisha said breaking the world record is not an every day thing.

“Setting a world record is a preserve of only a few and special athletes. The 800m world record was held by Sebastian Coe for six years and after him Wilson Kipketer had it for 13 years.

“Personally, I was not even expecting to break the world record in London because I did not have any pace makers. My focus was on breaking the Olympic record and I was surprised to bring down the Olympic record, I was able to also set a new world record.

“The field was very strong on that day and looking back I believe it was one of the greatest ever performance in 800m. It was very fast and everyone contributed to it. I don’t think we will experience something like this soon,” he remarked.

Looking ahead, Rudisha admitted that he will be under pressure to remain consistent after setting a new world record, winning a world title and an Olympic title.

“For me there is really nothing new that I can do now but try and remain at the top of my game going forward,” he said.

Rudisha also downplayed his Diamond League loss to Ethiopian Mohammed Aman blaming the weather.

“Winning the Olympic gold medal was more important because it comes only once in four years but the Diamond League is held annually. Of course it was disappointing to lose to Aman in Zurich but on that day it suddenly rained and the weather got the better of me.

“I always struggle to run in the rain and on that day it affected me but it is now behind me,” he said.

Asked whether he will one day change his specialty, Rudisha admitted that he is considering doing the mile or even the 1,500m in future but so far he wants to dominate his specialty as long as possible.

“It is hard to predict what the future holds but the 1,500m remains a possibility in future. Right now I just want to focus on my specialty,” said Rudisha.