Olympic and world 800 metres record holder David Rudisha began his bid to qualify for next month's world championships when he cruised to victory in the Kenya trials on Friday.
The 26-year-old, who has struggled with injuries over the last two years, won the second semi-final in a time of 1:44.2 to advance to Saturday's final.
But Rudisha showed he still has to do to regain the form which took him to a world record performance at the 2012 London Olympics.
"I am happy with the way my body is responding and I am getting back my speed," said Rudisha after the race, his first event on home soil in three years.
"Mentally it has been been tough for me. But the good thing is that I am building up gradually and I am almost there. I thank my fellow Kenyans for their great concern and keeping their faith in me."
Rudisha faces potentially tougher opposition from a couple of youngsters in the final on Saturday: Job Kinyor, who pushed him all the way to finish second in 1:44.6, and Ferguson Rotich, who also clocked 1:44.6 in winning the first semi-final.
Former double world champion Vivian Cheruiyot made a triumphant return to the women's 10,000m to book her ticket to the world championships in Beijing.
Cheruiyot, who is returning from a two-year maternity break, held off the challenge of US-based newcomer Betsy Saina to win in 32:58.4.
Commonwealth champion Joyce Chepkurui was third in 33:00.1.
Some of the seasoned athletes dropped out of the race, including the London Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Sally Kipyego, the 2009 world champion Linet Masai and the reigning world half marathon champion Florence Kiplagat.
The Kenya team for the world championships and September's Pan Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville will be selected on the final day of the trials on Saturday.
Source: AFP
GMT 13:37 2018 Wednesday ,12 December
WADA views International Sambo Federation as one of best in fight against doping abuseGMT 17:20 2018 Monday ,26 November
Russian football top-league’s clubs spent over $209 mln on transfer activities in 2017GMT 17:16 2018 Wednesday ,10 October
Charges against Russian national footballers Kokorin, MamaevGMT 05:55 2018 Saturday ,06 October
Don King seeks $2 mln with CAS for Stiverne-Povetkin cancelled boutGMT 09:45 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
Farrell lone Englishman on Euro awards long listGMT 08:24 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Brewers make offer to Japanese pitcher DarvishGMT 10:31 2018 Friday ,19 January
Man Utd set to make Sanchez highest-paid Premier League playerGMT 08:23 2018 Saturday ,13 January
Alvarez vs Golovkin rematch coming in May: reportMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor