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The Nairobian

Sprinting glory

Sports

By - | May 04, 2013

By Jonathan Komen

NAIROBI, KENYA: He had never competed at the stadium since finishing second at the IAAF World Junior Championships national trials in 2006.

And world 800m record holder David Rudisha did not disappoint as he dazzled huge crowds to win men’s 400m heat at the final leg National Bank of Kenya/Athletics track and field meeting at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.

Rudisha, who finished second to former Africa 800m bronze medallist Jackson Kivuva in 2006, returned to MISC Kasarani in a spectacular fashion strolling to a 20-metre gap victory in 43.5 seconds.

The Olympic 800m champion –who also has Africa, Europe and America 800m all-time bests under his belt –is keen romp home with brilliance this season even as he prepares to compete at the IAAF Diamond League first leg next Wednesday.

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400m preference

“I am happy to have registered my first win here in Kasarani since 2006. I had planned to start my first competition last weekend in Mumias but I suffered from cold. I prefer doing 400m before the main season,” he said.

Rudisha, an alumnus of Kimuron Secondary School, quipped further: “I love the 400m race in which my father (Daniel Rudisha) bagged a medal at the 1968 Olympics. I will compete in a back-to-back race at the Prefontaine Classic and New York Diamond leg meetings.”

Rudisha will battle upstarts John Koshal (50.3), Philip Matetek (50.7) and Moses Kertich (48.1) as well as Moses Kipkemoi (47.8) and Elijah Mandago (47.7) in today’s semi-finals.

Nickson Kiprotich (50.0), Kimelly Rogony (50.2) and Vincent Makori (47.7) will square it out in another semis.

Former Commonwealth Games 5,000m champ Augustine Choge (3:38.9), beat stellar a cast to win men’s 1,500m heat. He will duck it out with rookies Frankline Kiplagat (3:40.3), Mathew Kiptanui (3:40.9) and Vincent Kibet in today’s finals.

FIREWORKS

Titus Kipruto (3:45.6), Albert Rop (3:45.7) and Titus Tanui (3:45.8) are others to watch.

Fireworks emerged in the women’s front when former Olympic 800m champ Pamela Jelimo got her match from Commonwealth Games 400m runner Maureen Chelagat in the one-lap race heat.

Jelimo will take on Florence Wasike (58.9), Gladys Chepchumba (59.3) and Grace Kidake (55.9) in today’s finals. Uganda’s Agnes Aneno (55.9) is also in the mix.

Jelimo, has a date with her perennial rival Janet Jepkosgei in the 400m showdown.

“I wanted to use the 400m race to gauge my form. I want to run a fast race this season, probably dipping below the 1:54.01,” said Jelimo.

Margaret Wangare, who was fresh from competing at the world cross-country championships, carried the women’s 1,500m title in 4:18.3 ahead of Tabitha Wambiu (4:23.1) and former World Youth 1,500m champ Sammary Cherotich (4:29.2). Susan Cherotich (4:33.0), Lucia Mutie (4:34.0) and Lorna Chemutai (4:38.3) followed.