Rudisha too strong for 800m rivals

World record holder David Rudisha proved himself the worthy successor to 800 metres greats Seb Coe and Wilson Kipketer with a supreme, front-running performance to win gold at the World Championships.

The 22-year-old Kenyan, unbeaten since he failed to make the world championship final in 2009, cruised to victory ahead of Sudanese rival Abubaker Kaki, with Russian Yuriy Borzakovskiy taking the bronze.

Rudisha’s time of 1:43.91 was almost three seconds slower than the record he set in Italy last August but the ease with which he blew away a field described by Coe as one of the best for years at a world championships makes him a strong favourite for next year’s London Olympics.

In lane six, Rudisha battled Kaki stride for stride to gain the upper hand and moved his lanky frame in front after the lane break. Kaki stayed on Rudisha’s shoulder with Borzakovskiy in third but, when the Kenyan went up a gear, there was only one winner.

“I am very happy,” said Rudisha. “Having the world title is very important to me, more important that the world record. The title will remain with you for the rest of your life but the record can be broken.”