Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir has won the men’s 800m final, leading home a Kenyan 1-2 in 1:45.06.
The 26-year-old athlete, who is the sixth-fastest 800m runner of all time, stormed to the front to take an impressive gold ahead of teammate Ferguson Rotich (1:45.23).
The bronze medal went to Poland’s Patryk Dobek who finished the race in 1:45.39.
However, there was disappointment for Botswana’s Nijel Amos – the fastest man in the world this year over 800m – who finished eighth in 1:46.41.
There was always going to be a new gold medallist in the 800m, after double Olympic champion (London 2012 and Rio 2016) and world record holder David Rudisha withdrew from contention due to injury in May.
And with the legend missing it left the door open for others to write their names in the history books.
Korir has taken that mantle in Tokyo, winning gold and the title of Olympic champion.
Botswana’s Amos was the presumptive favorite prior to the race, having posted a personal best of 1:41.73 and a season’s best of 1:42.91 – faster than anyone in the field.
His preparations for the final were far from ideal after a fall in his heat saw him jog to the finish line along with fellow stumbler Isaiah Jewett.
However, the 27-year-old Amos was reinstated and given a place in the final, with the gold medal event taking place with nine competitors instead of eight.
The second-fastest this year was Korir, with fellow Kenyan Ferguson (named after Manchester United legend Sir Alex) Rotich third after a COVID-disrupted athletics season.
But it was Korir who stormed to victory, driving for the finish line to secure a memorable win and with it the top spot on the Olympic podium.
Speaking to Olympics.com after the race, Korir – who runs both 400 and 800m – expressed what it felt like to win Olympic gold and talked about his plans for the future.
“It’s amazing I mean I’m so happy and grateful, this is a big achievement,” he said. “I’ve been praying and hoping to maybe one day have a medal and today I have it and I’m so thankful.
“I will still continue running the 400 and 800m. I want to achieve the 43 seconds in the 400m and maybe to do my best and maybe one day 1:40 in the 800m and maybe a world record.
“It’s going to be my happiness if I make it.”
*This article was written by Agencies for Uzalendo News. Email: uzalendonews@gmail.com for News tips and Inquiries.
