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Kenya's Rudisha retains 800m title
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 [August 16, 2016]
By Drazen Jorgic
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Kenya's
David Rudisha obliterated his rivals in the 800 meters final on
Monday to become the first man since 1964 to retain his Olympic
title over the distance.
Rudisha, the world champion and world record holder, stormed to
victory with a devastating final-lap sprint that cemented his place
among the greats such as New Zealand's Peter Snell, the last man to
successfully defend an 800m Olympic gold.
Nicknamed 'King David' in Kenya, Rudisha hit top gear in the final
300 meters to surge ahead of his rivals with his trademark finishing
kick and win gold in a season's best time of one minute 42.15
seconds.
"I am so excited. It is the greatest moment of my career," Rudisha
told reporters.
After winning his first Olympic gold and setting a world record at
the 2012 London Games, Rudisha suffered a couple of injury-ravaged
years that dented his confidence and caused him to miss the 2013
world championships.
He struggled for much of the current season and came third in
national Olympic trials but the 6-foot-3-inch Maasai runner looked
in total control of the Rio Games final as his long stride and fluid
running style propelled him to victory.
"It's been very difficult," Rudisha said, referring to his injuries.
"I have stayed focused and positive. My coach has been great and
given me hope."
The 27-year-old crossed the line several meters ahead of Algeria's
Taoufik Makhloufi, the London Games gold medal winner over 1,500m.
Makhloufi said the silver medal boosted his confidence ahead of the
1,500m event later this week.
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David Lekuta Rudisha (KEN) of Kenya celebrates after winning the
race REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
"I am so happy to make my country proud," he said. "I dedicate this
to the poor people."
Fast-finishing American Clayton Murphy set a personal best time to
take bronze ahead of France's Pierre-Ambroise Bosse.
"When I saw I could get bronze, I just kept pushing," said Murphy,
who was delighted to have raced against Rudisha.
"He is somebody I've looked up to since he broke the world record.
It was an honor to race him."
(Editing by Ed Osmond/Patrick Johnston)
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