Kenya: Athletics Champion David Rudisha Sets Eyes On Two Gold Medals in Rio

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
David Rudisha 

By Steve Omondi | Daily Nation

David Rudisha is dreaming of becoming the first Kenyan to win two gold medals in an event in successive editions of the Olympic Games after taking his place in the finals early on Sunday morning.

Running in the last semi-final heat, the reigning world champion and record holder clocked 1:43.88 to join teammates Fergusson Rotich and Alfred Kipketer in the final set for Tuesday (4:25am Kenyan time).

"I just want you to tell Kenyans Rudisha amerudi (Rudisha is back).

"It was important just to get to the final alongside my teammates. I feel good and my form is back," a beaming Rudisha said after the race.

Rotich finished fourth in heat one but his time of 1:44.65 earned him qualification as one of the two fastest finishers behind the winners and runners-up from the three heats.

AVOIDED JOURNALISTS

But just like in the previous race, Rotich was avoided the media as he shuffled past journalists in the mixed zone.

Meanwhile, Kipketer was largely untroubled as he won his heat in a time of 1:44.38.

"I've picked up well in the semis but I think the final will be more of a mind game.

"As much as we will be competing against each other, a 1-2-3 finish for Kenya remains a possibility," he said.

In the finals heat, Rudisha had to contend with the company of world silver medallist Adam Kszczot of Poland who attempted to draw level on the final bend only for Rudisha to shift gears and safely pull away.

"I was in control and aware of the fact that there was someone trying to disappoint me," he said in reference to Kszczot's effort.

Rudisha and steeplechase world champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, were the only gold medallists for Kenya four years ago in London and from his semi-final display, the world record holder seems primed for another go at the Olympic title.

"The final is everything and a 1:43 shows that it is going to be a tough race. But we will work as a team and hope that Kenya wins as many medals as possible," he said.

The big casualties in the semis were world bronze medallist Amel Tuka of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 2013 world champion Mohammed Amman of Ethiopia who both failed to attain qualification times.

"The race was good but it wasn't my day. The final should be a tough one because all these guys look strong, " Tuka said.