Commonwealth Games: Silver medal surprised me, says Rudisha

(L-R) Silver medallist David Rudisha of Kenya, gold medallist Nijel Amos of Botswana and bronze medallist Andre Olivier of South Africa

For David Lekuta Rudisha, it was a pleasant surprise winning a silver medal in his speciality at the Commonwealth Games at Hampden Park Stadium here.

Rudisha, the world 800m record holder, said he was surprised to win a silver since he thought he had not recovered fully.

“I was surprised with the silver. That means I am picking on well from the injury. The Commonwealth Games has served as a yardstick to assess the recovery of the injury. I am regaining my form well, especially in the last 100m kick,” Rudisha said.

“I pulled out in the 4x400m relays because I knew I don’t have the final 100m kick. It needs high speed. I am now focusing on next season, where I expect to stage a good show,” he added.

On Thursday, the atmosphere at Hampden Park Stadium was electrifying as people from all walks of life trooped into the stadium to watch Rudisha and Botswana’s Olympic silver medalist Nijel Amos battle.

It was a contest in which Rudisha, the Olympic two-lap race winner, wanted to kill two birds with one stone —it did not come, at least for now.

Rudisha once again lost it to Amos (1:46.85) taking silver in 1:45.18. South Africa’s Olivier Andre (1:46.03) bagged bronze and Ferguson Rotich came fourth in 1:46.03.

Rudisha said: “I am happy for the silver. I knew Nijel Amos is tough and people should also understand that I have not hit my top form. I have problems competing under rainy conditions. I will focus on season next year.”

But Nijel said: “I am happy for the gold medal. I know Rudisha is back from injury and beating him is nothing to me.”

World 800m champion Eunice Sum is the sole Kenyan in 800m final tonight.

She won her heat in 2:01.38 on Thursday and will take on Canada’s Bishop Melissa (2:01.86), Smit Angie and Smit Angie (2:01.97) of New Zealand. Sum, who ran from the front from gun to tape, has a mountain to climb, taking on home girl Judo Jessica (2:02.26) and Uganda’s Winnie Nanyando (2:02.83) and Hamlin Nikki (2:02.87).

It was a sad night for 2007 world 800m champion Janet Jepkosgei, who failed to make it into tonight’s final after finishing seventh in 2:04.60.