Rudisha for New York Diamond League conquest

Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha remained upbeat ahead of his first major race of the season in New York on Sunday.

Speaking yesterday on telephone from his training base in Germany, Rudisha said he is keen to run in New York to get his body in competitive shape prior to the World Championships in Beijing in August. After injuring his thigh muscles in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Rudisha flew to German city of Tubingen, where his Australian manager, James Templeton, lives.

“I am leaving today for New York and I expect a good run. I have one more race in Lausanne in July and then I will run the national trials before heading to Beijing.

“It has been unfortunate for me to get the small injury and I am really feeling good now. I am back to my spikes and that makes me happy. I am sure I will be smiling soon,” he added.

Well that smile should come on Sunday.

Rudisha said that unlike 2014, when he was coming back from injury, his legs are much stronger and will be hoping to win.

“I will not talk about time. It is not important because it looks as if this is my first really important race in 800m after starting the season early down in Melbourne and Sydney.

“I know they have assembled a big team and it will be good to run alongside them and see how I do. But I am in great shape now and anything is possible. I have nothing more to prove and all I need is to run and win in New York,” he said.

Indeed, it will be the second year Rudisha will be returning to New York after injuring his knee while jogging in the same city in 2013. But he has got over the issue and now wants to reclaim his world title in Beijing.

“You have to keep trying. You have to keep practising. Anything is possible. Everything is possible ?#‎believe,” he posted on his official Twitter handle @David Rudisha MBS.

In Ostrava last month, Rudisha had expected to break the 600m world record but pulled out midway through the race with an injury.

“It was just a thigh muscle spasm though not a very serious problem. I have been here in Germany for physiotherapy. With few days of good care, I am back onto training.

“It was very unfortunate that I pulled my muscle just after 100m. But its not a very serious injury, thank you all for your support,” Rudisha said.

 

After New York, Rudisha will be returning home for training before heading to Europe in Switzerland for the Lausanne Diamond League, the eight stop of the series.

In New York, Rudisha, Blanka Vlasic and Ajee Wilson will join Usain Bolt on the roster for the Adidas Grand Prix. Rudisha will be looking for his fourth-consecutive victory in New York meet.