By JONATHAN KOMEN
Uncertainty hangs over world 800m record holder David Rudisha’s title defence bid at next month’s 14th IAAF World Athletics in Moscow, Russia.
Rudisha’s physical condition is a matter of concern to his management team and the country which is pregnant with expectations in the men’s 800m race.
The 24-year-old Rudisha, who won in New York Diamond League meeting in June, missed the Diamond League meeting in Eugene a week later after he picked up a knee injury.
Yesterday, Rudisha’s Australian manager James Templeton said he was uncertain on the athletes’ participation in Moscow.
“He’s obviously a big doubt. You know this. But I’ve got no further comment at the moment,” Templeton said in an email sent to FeverPitch.
On Wednesday, Rudisha’s coach Bro Colm O’ Connell said the runner was recovering well, but he was still uncertain whether he would be ready for Moscow Worlds.
Colm, an Irish lay missionary who has been training athletes in Iten since 1976, said: “He is picking on well. But I am not sure if he will heal early enough to resume training for world championships. We will come up with a report on his condition in a week’s time. We will then write to Athletics Kenya and IAAF about it.”
He went on: “It’s good he has a wild card to Moscow and we are only praying that he responds well to treatment.”
Rudisha is among Kenyan athletes with a wild card to World Championships, having won the previous championships in Daegu, South Korea, and a bonus from the Diamond League.
Others are Edna Kiplagat (marathon), Ezekiel Kemboi (3,000m steeplechase), Asbel Kiprop (1,500m) and Milca Chemos (3,000m steeplechase). With the absence of Rudisha, the 800m battle will be wide open at the national trials set for Nyayo National Stadium tomorrow.
“We expect new names in 800m at the trials. That can also be helpful to us since our rivals will not know our strategy. But we expect Rudisha will heal and join us,” head coach Sammy Rono told FeverPitch.
Job Kinyor, who has a season best of 1:44.24 set in Doha, will be up against Olympian Anthony Chemut (1:44.69) and Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Kitum (1:45.16) set in Eugene. Also in the fray are Jeremiah Mutai (1:43.90), Edwin Meli (1:43.81) and 2007 world champion Alfred Kirwa Yego (1:43.90) personal bests.
Asbel Kiprop’s brilliant 3:31.13 1,500m world-lead will be put to test against Bethwel Birgen (3:31.90) and Benson Saurei (3:32.85).
Former world indoor champion, Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (3:33.05), world silver medallist Silas Kiplagat (3:33.85) are also itching for the prized ticket to Moscow.
World 800 meters bronze medalist Janeth Jepkosgei, who has an impressive 1:58.71 season best, needs to be at her best to realise her bid for a fourth straight World Championships ticket.
