Trio pose serious threat to Amos award hopes
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday October 8, 2014 17:14
Staff Writer, MQONDISI DUBE peeps into what Amos faces and finds three names that stand between the native of Marobela and the prestigious award.
Amos’ 2014 record
Not since his personal best of 1.41.73 at the London 2012 Olympics, has Amos been so domineering. He recorded his second fastest time this year, when he ran 1:42:45 in Monaco in July. While the Olympic medal was priceless, it was this year that the medal count began to mount.
He won the Samsung Diamond League title in his debut season, adding to the Commonwealth Games gold, the two gold medals at the African Championships in Morocco. He followed the feat with a further two gold medals at the IAAF Continental Cup. It was in 2014 that he recorded his personal best of 45.56 in the 400m. It was a year that he emphatically beat world record holder, David Rudisha on several occasions. Out of 11 main races this year, Amos won seven gold medals and two silver. He told Mmegi Sport the IAAF nomination humbles him.
“I thank God and all those who believed in me while some were throwing stones at me. Being nominated made me happy and I dedicate all the achievements to the few who have been by my side when I walked through the dark tunnel to the light we see today,” he said.
Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar)- high jump
The 23year-old recorded his best two jumps, 2:43 (outdoor) and 2:38 (indoor) in 2014. He is the reigning IAAF World Indoor Champion, while he was third at the Intercontinental Cup held in Morocco. Out of 10 major jumps this year, Barshim has five gold medals and two silver. Prediction: His 2014 exploits do not pose much threat to Amos
Jairus Kipchoge Birech (
Kenya) -3000m steeplechase
He recorded his personal best of 7.58.41 in Brussels this year. He won gold at the IAAF Intercontinental Cup in Morocco and is top ranked in the discipline. He is a seven time Diamond League winner. The Kenyan won nine out of 12 major races this year, missing out a podium finish only once. Prediction: He is a definite threat
Bogdan Bondarenko
(Ukraine) high jump
He has had a smashing 2014 winning the Intercontinental Cup title and recorded his best jump of 2.42. Of his 12 principal jumps in 2014, Bondarenko claimed nine gold medals and three silver, an astonishing achievement.
Prediction: Good, but not good enough
Yohann Diniz (France) race walker
He is the current world-record holder for the 50 km race, with a time of 3:32:33 and for the 50,000 metres track walk, with a time of 3:35:27. He broke the 50km race at this year’s European Athletics Championships. Prediction: Not a threat
Justin Gatlin (USA) 100
and 200m sprinter
Gatlin has had an astonishing run in 2014 after returning from doping suspension. There has been an uproar over his nomination, but that aside, he poses a big threat to Amos’ dreams. He has 13 gold medals out of all his major races this year, an excellent record, aided though by the prolonged absence of sprint king, Usain Bolt.
Prediction: Might walk away with the award despite the storm surrounding his nomination
Robert Harting (Germany) discuss
The 2012 Olympics discuss champion is one of those hurt by the inclusion of Gatlin on the list and wants to be dropped if the American remains a nominee. He won all the nine major competitions he was involved in 2014 with his best throw being 68.47. Prediction: Favoured to win
Dennis Kipruto Kimetto
(Kenya) long distance runner
Kimetto had a good 2014 and is the world record holder at the marathon and the 25 km road distance.
Just last month, Kimetto broke the world record at the Berlin Marathon with 2:02:57 and became the first man to run under 2:03 Prediction: Does not pose a threat
Renaud Lavillenie (France) pole vault
It has been an incredible year for the Frenchman who made it 13 out of 13 major events. He is the firm favourite to clinch the title.
Prediction: Overwhelming favourite
LaShawn Merritt (USA) 400m sprinter
A name Amos’ compatriot, Isaac Makwala dreads, Merritt had a good year, but not good enough to earn him the award. He won 10 gold medals, three silver and one bronze in all major competitions.
Prediction: Performance not good enough for the big prize.