• Rudisha's prediction comes on the heels of Wanyonyi's blistering World lead time of 1:41.70 at the Olympic trials last weekend at Nyayo Stadium.
• Rudisha holds the world record in the 800m with a time of 1:40.91 set during the 2012 London Olympics where he ran from gun to tape.
Image: TEDDY MULEI
World 800m record holder David Rudisha has tipped world silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi to shatter his record during the Paris Olympics.
This prediction comes on the heels of Wanyonyi's blistering world lead time of 1:41.70 at the Olympic trials last weekend at Nyayo Stadium.
Wanyony won the 800m race during the Olympic Trials ahead of Wycliffe Kinyamal (1:42.50) and Koitatoi Kidali (1:42.66) 10 days ago.
Rudisha holds the world 800m record with a time of 1:40.91 set during the 2012 London Olympics where he led from gun to tape.
His astonishing pace averaged 25.22 seconds per 200m, leaving the silver medallist, Nijel Amos of Botswana, to be carried off the track on a stretcher.
Wanyonyi’s recent time is the fastest since Rudisha's record and the third-fastest in history.
Only Wilson Kipketer (1:41.11) and Rudisha have run faster than Wanyonyi. World athletics president Sabastian Coe has the fourth fastest time of 1:41.73.
Rudisha pointed out that the 19-year-old Wanyonyi has vast talent that will see him scale greater heights provided he remains disciplined in training.
“Wanyonyi is a young talented athlete. He has so much potential and all he needs to do is fine-tune his craft and this will see him push his time even lower,” Rudisha stated.
Wanyonyi currently holds the world mile record with a time of 3:54.5 set during the Adizero Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany, on April 27.
His trophy cabinet includes the 2021 World U20 title, where he clocked 1:43.71 at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
At the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year, Wanyonyi clinched silver in 1:44.53 behind Canada’s Marco Arop (1:44.24). He also won the title in last year’s Prefontaine Classic after clocking 1:42.80.
Rudisha pointed out that it was a special moment to see Wanyonyi record a time of 1 minute 41 seconds which saw the teenager enter into the realm of history.
“It was special to see Wanyonyi run a 1:41 race. Being able to dominate and clocking that time is impressive,” he commented.
Rudisha also highlighted Wanyonyi’s sense of confidence on the track, citing it as the hallmark of his success.
“He always shows his bravery and confidence whenever he steps on the track and that has been the secret behind his success,” he added
The 19-year-old Wanyonyi almost failed to qualify for the final of the Olympic trial after he was tripped and fell during the semifinals, where he finished sixth.
However, the officials gave him the green light to take part in the final after a petition from his management was launched.
“Right now we know the country has someone we can rely on for gold in Paris,” Rudisha revealed.
“If he performs like he did during the trials, then there is a high chance of him winning gold in Paris,” he added.
Rudisha himself boasts two Olympic golds from the 2012 London and 2016 Rio (1:42.15) Games.
He is also a two-time World champion having won in Daegu, South Korea in 2011 (1:43.91) and the 2015 in Beijing, China (1:45.84).
Rudisha also boasts a world Junior title won in 2006 in Beijing, China, where he clocked 1:47.40.