Trio assure Kenyans not to worry about 800m

By JONATHAN KOMEN

Anthony Chemut (left) and Ferguson Rotich during the Kenyan Trials on July 13.  [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO / STANDARD]

Kenyans should not worry whether men’s 800m team can retain David Rudisha’s title at the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships that runs in Moscow, Russia, next month.

The Moscow bound two-lap race youngsters, Africa 800m silver medalist Antony Chemut, former World Youth 400m silver medalist Jeremiah Mutai and the new catch, Ferguson Rotich said this after their training at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, yesterday.

“We will do our best to ensure that David Rudisha, the world record holder and defending champion, comfortably recovers from injury. We want Kenyans to know that Rudisha bestowed the mantle to ‘real men’ and not ‘boys’ as many people believe,” Rotich told FeverPitch after yesterday’s training.

The Kericho-based Rotich said Rudisha’s brilliant show inspired him into the two-lap race and will not disappoint the 2010 IAAF Male Athlete of the Year.

“When I completed Form Four in 2010, Rudisha was doing very well across the globe and that prompted me to train in 800m. I am longing for a pep talk with him before competing in Moscow,” said Rotich.

Duane Solomon (1:43.27) of USA stands on top of the 800m season leader board as Ethiopia’s Mohammed Aman (1:43.33), who ended Rudisha’s unbeaten run since 2010, trails in second.

But Rotich, who boasts 1:44.38 he posted at the national trials, has vowed to dare the form book in Moscow City, Russia.

“Championships only depend on the conditions one is in upon waking up in the morning, the reaction at the start of the race and the sharpness in the final lap.

“But our fans have talked a lot and we will put the fears to rest,” said Rotich, who boasts a record 50 seconds in the final lap he set in Dakar World Challenge,” he said.

But Chemut, who finished second to Rotich at the Dakar World Challenge, said he had rectified that saw him boxed out at the London Olympics semi-finals.

“I have realised that 800m semi-final is the biggest challenge. Many athletes do well in the semis than in the finals and that’s why I was locked inside at the Olympics,” said Chemut, who hails from Eldama Ravine.

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