King Rudisha ready to roar at Prefontaine Classic
PHOTO | FILE World 800m record holder David Rudisha during a past competition. Rudisha is set to make his much awaited comeback after almost one year in the cold owing to a leg injury.
What you need to know:
- Rudisha said the race will be key to his return before focusing in New York Diamond League race on June 14.
- Rudisha started last season well, posting a World Lead time of 1:43.87 to win for the fourth time in Doha before clocking 1:45.14 in the third Diamond League leg of New York.
Olympic champion and World 800m record holder David Rudisha is set to make his much awaited comeback after almost one year in the cold owing to a leg injury.
Rudisha, who is set to make his comeback in Saturday’s race at Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, USA, that is third leg of the Diamond League, said the race will be key to his return before focusing in New York Diamond League race on June 14.
BUSY SCHEDULE
Rudisha said he will focus on trying to qualify for the Commonwealth Games due July 23 to August 3 in Glasgow, Scotland and the World Cup planned for September 13 in Marrakech, Morocco.
After Eugene, Rudisha will come back home to prepare for the National trials for the Commonwealth Games due June 7 at the Nyayo National Stadium before heading to the US for New York Diamond League.
“The body system definitely changes when you take a long break. My treatment at a clinic in Germany was vital to my recovery since I have spent most of the time in the gym,” Rudisha said. “That is why my first race in Eugene will determine how far I will go."
“You will see a different Rudisha either way. Maybe I will come back much stronger or I will have work hard to regain my previous stupendous shape,” said the Olympic champion.
INJURY SET-BACK
Rudisha started last season well, posting a World Lead time of 1:43.87 to win for the fourth time in Doha before clocking 1:45.14 in the third Diamond League leg of New York.
He then picked a knee in training in New York last May which forced him to sit out of the World Championships in Moscow.
Rudisha’s scheduled return at the Athletics Kenya Track and Field opening in event in Mumias on May 3 failed to materialise when he incurred a calf muscle injury in training in Iten. That saw him withdraw from the opening leg of the IAAF Diamond League in Doha on May 9.
The 800m World record-holder produced one of the finest moments in Olympic history, ploughing a breathtaking 1:40.91 to better his own World Record with victory at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
