Nervy battle in men's 800m as Olympics trials draw closer

Kenya's David Rudisha (R) wins ahead of Kenya's Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich (L) in their semi-final of the men's 800m athletics event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on July 30, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

The writing is on the wall. The jury is about to deliver a landmark ruling on who is the true ‘King’ of 800m race in Kenya this season.

And the battle between Olympic and two-time 800m champion David Rudisha and Ferguson Rotich, fourth at the Beijing Worlds, will no doubt send adrenaline levels running high during the Olympic national trials set for Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret next week.

Still reeling from losses to Rotich in Shanghai and Stockholm, Rudisha will be out to silence his critic’s –after a confusion by the starter in Shanghai cost him dearly and the rains he is not accustomed to, also played to his disadvantage in Stockholm.

Rudisha, one of the three traffic police Chief Inspectors in Eldoret, however, posted the African record of 1:13.10 in Birmingham meeting in 600m a fortnight ago, thus setting the stage for the anticipated fireworks at the Rio trials.

“I have no injury. I just need to sharpen my final 50metres and hope all will go as planned,” Rudisha said.

Rotich mounted his first defeat internationally against Rudisha in Shanghai, having beaten him at the Beijing Worlds trials at Kasarani Stadium last year.

Rudisha finished fifth in Shanghai (1:46.24) and fourth in Stockholm (1:45.69), while Rotich won both Shanghai (1:45.68) and Stockholm (1:45.07).

Alfred Kipketer (1:45.93), third in Shanghai and the reigning world junior champion and former Africa Youth champion Robert Biwott (1:45.84), second in Shanghai, are also itching for automatic top two slots to the Samba nation gala.

Kenya’s Olympic-bound squad needs to be at its best to counter fast-rising Frenchman Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, winner in Rabat and runner-up in Birmingham and Stockholm Diamond League meetings.

Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Kitum, former Africa bronze medalist Jackson Kivuva, former world youth 400m hurdles silver medalist Jeremiah Mutai and former world youth champion Leonard Kosencha are also in the mix.

Former Africa Youth silver medalist Patrick Rono, Job Kinyor and newcomer Jonathan Kiprotich are the other stars to watch.

World 800m bronze medalist Eunice Sum leads women’s two-lap race onslaught, in which she has performed slightly below par this season.