Yuriy Borzakovskiy of Russia wins the men's 800m (© Getty Images)
Troublesome irreverent teenagers. That has to be on the mind of seasoned 800m veterans this year, particularly reigning Olympic champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy. Prior to last month’s Herculis Super Grand Prix in Monaco, teenagers had made a significant impact on the season’s performance lists, producing four of the season’s seven sub-1:44 performances. In Monaco, Borzakovskiy seemed to say, ‘enough is enough’.
In a trademark performance, the enigmatic Russian lingered at the back of the field before switching into gear as he entered the final bend. In a dramatic finish, he clocked 1:42.79, his fastest in seven years, second only to his 1:42.47 national record set in 2001. Clearly, forcefully and dramatically, Borzakovskiy told the world that he was indeed ready for Beijing. Uppity teenagers, look out.
Perhaps Abubaker Kaki, the 18-year-old Sudanese leading the teenage attack, watched and learned what his front-running style – already a trademark in itself - can expect in Beijing. Kaki came to fore after his spectacular gun-to-tape victory at the World Indoor Championships in Valencia in March. In a surprisingly fast race – Kaki produced a world-leading 1:44.91 – he managed to hold off South Africa’s Olympic silver medallist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and perennial speedster, Yusuf Saad Kamel of Bahrain. But his outing in the Spanish seaport city was hardly a one-hit wonder.
Utilizing the same front-running tactic, Kaki beat a strong field at his 2008 outdoor debut over the distance in Oslo with a sensational 1:42.69, a World junior record and still the fastest of the year. He followed up the following week with another solid run in Ostrava, Czech Republic, winning handily in 1:43.80. For good measure, he went on to win the World Junior title before taking a well-earned breather from competition to fully recharge for Beijing.
Finishing third in Oslo (1:44.04) and Monaco (1:43.26) was Mulaudzi, who has dipped under 1:44 in three of his six races since June. As the defending silver medallist – he finished 0.16 seconds behind Borzakovskiy in Athens – the 27-year-old South African could be the hungriest man in the field.
Although injury kept sub-1:44 man David Rudisha off the squad, Kenya’s formidable threesome will certainly be a force. Alfred Kirwa Yego surprised more experienced runners last year to snatch the World title in Osaka. International newcomer Boaz Lalang continues to improve virtually every time he steps on the track. And perhaps the hungriest will be Kenyan team captain Wilfred Bungei, whose exemplary career still lacks a major outdoor gold medal.
Others to watch include 19-year-old Ugandan Abraham Chepkirowok, who sped 1:43.72 in Madrid last month; Canadian Gary Reed, the Osaka silver medallist who lowered the national record to 1:43.68 in Monaco; Cuban standout Yeiman Lopez who cruised a 1:43.07 in Jerez, Spain, last month; and Kamel, the son of two-time world champion Billy Konchellah, who was also credited with a 1:42.79 in Monaco, a personal best and his first dip into sub-1:43 territory. The latter, who in recent years has managed fast times through largely inconsistent seasons, may have finally gained the discipline he gravely lacked.
History will not be Borzakovskiy’s side. Only three men have ever successfully defended their Olympic 800m title: Peter Snell (19650/1964) of New Zealand, American Mal Whitfield (1948/1952), and Douglas Lowe (1924/1928) of Great Britain.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
