Nijel Amos is back

Correspondent | Sunday June 1, 2014 09:43

 

The Diamond League showdown at the University of Oregon produced a number of the year's best performances, but Amos had the finest, rallying from third around the last turn to pass Rudisha, who faded at the finish, and Ethiopia's Mohammed Aman and win in 1 minute 43.63 seconds, 0.36 ahead of second-place Aman in a meet record.

'I was well back but I wanted to run my race,' Amos said. 'I was able to run at my pace. I was going to run my way the whole time.'

Rudisha led down the final backstretch in his first race in more than a year after a quad injury similar to one that nagged Amos most of last season as well.

Rudisha fought off a challenge from Aman and led entering the final turn but Amos charged from the outside and Rudisha's poor form cost him down the stretch, the 2011 world champion and world record-holder finishing in 1:44.87.

'I'm happy to be back,' Rudisha said. 'I had to push hard and the last 100 they passed me. I know in a couple of races I will be ready.'

Amos was eager for the challenge, saying, 'We can both run better times.'

Rudisha plans to run at the Diamond League event in New York in two weeks.

'This was to sharpen up, to get back into competition,' Rudisha said. 'I know now what I need to do. I'm happy now that I know how I run. In a few weeks I'll improve that last 100.'

AFP