Tuesday, December 14, 2010

'It will be tough', says Rudisha

By Mutwiri Mutuota

David Rudisha's honours express rolled on last Friday night when as anticipated, he bagged the most coveted Sportsman Of the Year Award.

For the 21-year-old, it was yet another feather in his accolade-laden cap after a barnstorming season where he broke then set the men 800m world record.

However, the twice-African champion and IAAF Diamond League winner knows the hard work has just began.

"Beating Rudisha will be the target of other 800m runners next season. I have to remain focused to maintain the position I have reached this year. It will not be easy, but with hard work, it can be done," Rudisha said.

Rudisha was speaking at a session with pay television channel, SuperSport at his training base in Iten.

It was just one of the numerous engagements he has had to fulfil since he ascended to global acclaim when he broke Wilson Kipketer’s long standing 1:41.11 all time best in Berlin.

How is he coping with the fame and adulation that has seen him bag the IAAF Male Athlete of the Year award in Monaco, star in a shoe polish advert, sit for never ending interviews in addition to being the in thing in his nation?

"When I set out to break the world record, I knew attention would follow and I was ready to handle it but at times, it feels too much and can easily interfere with my programme. "The thing is to learn how to handle it and I’m learning how to do it."

Last Tuesday, the lanky athlete who raced 1:41.09 to shatter Kipketer’s record before breezing to 1:41.01 in Rieti a week later for the standing world best, began training for next season at the dusty Iten terrain where he forged his career.

Fast races

"What happened is now behind me. Another year awaits and my aim is to win the World Championships. This year was all about fast races, I trained to run fast and achieved it. Now I have to prepare for championship races.

"I had good experience at the African Championships and Continental Cup of what it takes to win such races and that is what I want to build on."

Despite his elevated status as world record holder, Rudisha joined junior athletes at Brother Colm O’Connell’s camp in training as he set off the build-up that he hopes will culminate with a gold medal adorning his neck in Daegu, South Korea.

"Last year, at this very field, Rudisha joined the juniors. Then, we did not know that a year later, they would be training with a world record holder," his coach Bro Colm said.

"This serves to bring him back to Earth, to keep him grounded since one day, he was just like these juniors and he needed a mentor when he started," the veteran tactician added.

Rudisha arrived at his coaches’ camp at St. Patrick’s High School, Iten from his native Transmara in 2005 as a raw talent who had enjoyed measured success at primary and secondary school competitions.

Coaches support

"Coming to this place helped me establish my running. It’s got the altitude, terrain and environment required to make it and above all, the support from coaches and other athletes acts as best motivation."

He added: "Here, you can concentrate on athletics."

On whether he will seek to dip under his all time best and how fast he can run, Rudisha stressed.

"Next season is all about Daegu but should everything fall in place, then I cannot rule out fast times but they are not a priority for now."

His designated pace maker and training partner, Sammy Tangui, however, believes Rudisha can go even faster.

"If the season would have stretched by another month, he would have done 1:40! He was in such great shape and he can only get better."

His coach intoned:

"When Wilson broke the world record, he was 26. Rudisha is 21 and still has time to register better times but he knows he needs major titles to be considered great."

For now, it’s back to the roots for the son of 1968 4x400m relay Olympics silver winner, Daniel Rudisha.
 
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