Abubaker Kaki sets a world junior record in the 800m in Oslo (© Getty Images)
Sudan's World indoor 800m champion and World junior record holder Abubaker Kaki will lead Sudan's strong squad of eight athletes for the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The 18-year-old, who has been one of the revelations of 2008 with his outstanding performances this season, is the favourite to take gold in the men's 800m in only his second full season over the event.
He will be joined in the event by Ismael Ahmed Ismael who is the only other runner in the squad with any experience reaching an Olympic final. The 26-year old shocked many observers four years ago by reaching the 800m final in Athens and has had a good season with six sub-1:45 performances along with a silver medal at the African championships in Addis Ababa in May.
Sudan will also have African 400m champion Nagmeldin Ali Abubaker in their ranks. The former World youth champion ran 45.64 at altitude when winning the African title and will compete in his second Olympics following his second round elimination four years ago in Athens.
Muna Jabir, the 2007 All-African Games 400m Hurdles champion, is the leading runner in the women's squad. The reigning Pan Arab Games champion and Arab record holder has been struggling for form this season. Former African champion and record holder Yamile Aldama is the athlete worth mentioning in the women's Triple Jump.
Sudan's team for Beijing -
MEN: Nagmeldin Ali Abubaker (400m), Abubaker Kaki (800m), Ismail Ahmed Ismail (800m), Abdalla Abdulgadir (1500m)
WOMEN: Muna Jabir (400m Hurdles), Nawal Eljack (400m), Durka Manna (3000m steeplechase), Yamile Aldama (Triple Jump)
Elshadai Negash for the IAAF
