Rudisha wins 800m semis, eyes team slot

World 800m record-holder David Rudisha’s return to top form went a notch higher when he won the semi-final two at the national athletics trials at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani yesterday.

Rudisha, the Olympic 800m champion, showed his intent for team slot as he won the race in 1:44.2.

Job Kinyor, the son of 1994 Commonwealth Games hurdler Barnabas Kinyor, showed his intent to the Beijing world's squad, coming second in 1:44.6 ahead of Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Kitum (1:45.0) and former Africa Youth 800m champion Patrick Rono (1:45.0).

Newcomer Jonathan Kitilit (1:45.4), Edward Kemboi (1:45.7) and former World Youth 400m hurdles silver medalist Jeremiah Mutai (1:45.7) followed.

It will be interesting to watch Rudisha, who registered his fourth straight win at the Addis Grand Prix in New York last June, take on former Africa bronze medallist Jackson Kivuva (1:45.0) and world junior 800m champion Alfred Kipketer in the final today.

Kipketer longs to rule the two-lap race having won world youth and world junior championships back to back.