23.08.2010

Rudisha rewrites the record books, Harradine leads Aussie charge in Berlin

Kenyan David Rudisha set the Berlin Olympic stadium alight overnight with a new world record in the 800m of 1:41.09, trimming Wilson Kipketer's 1997 mark by 0.02 while three Aussies were on show in the field and there to witness the historic occasion.

Discus thrower Benn Harradine was the best performed of the Aussie trio, placing second with 64.46m behind world champion Robert Harting from Germany, who treated the patriotic crowd to one of three German victories with a final throw of 68.24m. 

World and Olympic champion Steve Hooker returned to the site of his incredible win at last year's world championships but failed to clear a height in the pole vault, leaving former world champion Giuseppe Gibilisco (ITA) with victory at 5.71m.

Queenslander Chris Noffke was seventh in the long jump with a second round jump of 7.72m (w:-0.2). Recently-crowned European champion Christian Reif thrilled the crowd with a another German victory, the fourth of the evening, with a final round leap of 8.06m that moved him from fourth to first.

In other events, South African Caster Semenya's return to the scene of her 2009 world championships victory that initiated much controversy surrounding the 19-year-old's gender, was another display of composure and domination as she won easily in a season's best time of 1:59.90.

Semenya was pleased with her form and always confident of victory despite passing halfway in ninth place.

"I was just waiting for the last hundred because i know I have a good sprint," Semenya said.

But it was the men's 800m that had the stadium really buzzing. In the days leading into the ISTAF meet, David Rudisha had talked about having a shot at the 1:41.11 world record of Dane-turned-Kenyan Wilson Kipketer and he duly treated the 40,000 plus crowd to an unforgettable moment in athletics.

Compatriot Sammy Tangui had the task of taking the big tall Kenyan through halfway in 49.50 and when he passed 400m in 48.65 with the fastest man in 2010 just a few metres behind and bang on target, the crowd sensed an historic moment was in motion.

"I told the pacemaker to run the first lap in 49 seconds. He did a great job," the Kenyan said.

Down the back straight Tangui dropped out and the long strides had Rudisha splitting 1:14.54 at 600m. The final 100m was tough for the Kenyan but he battled on knowing the world record was on. A rapturous applause from the German crowd greeted him as he crossed the line with the scoreboard confirming he had trimmed Kipketer's 13-year-old mark by 0.02.

"The last 200m I had to push very hard. But I saw the clock, 1:41.09 at the end, fantastic. I am very happy to be the fastest 800m runner in the world. The crowd was fantastic," said Rudisha, who was one of several international athletes to feature at the Sydney and Melbourne Track Classics earlier this year.

"Weltrekorde" sounded throughout the stadium and appeared on the giant screens and no translation was needed as those present clapped in unison for Rudisha's lap of honour and celebrated the occasion.

In other action across the weekend, the first day of competition at the IWAS Junior World Championships in Olomouc (CZE) saw some fantastic competition across the board from the Australians with two gold and one IWAS world junior record kicking off the green and gold campaign in style.

Madison De Rozario (WA), reclassified as a T53 competitor, took out the Under 18 100m and 1500m events in comprehensive fashion, smashing the previous 100m world mark with a time of 17.90. Also hitting the track on day one were Declan Young (NSW) and Sara Tait (Qld) competing in their first international competition, the pair producing some pleasing results on their international debut.

Tomorrow sees Australians line up in the 200m and 800m events.

For more information about the IWAS World Junior Championships, click here.

With thanks to Pat Birgan in Berlin