I AM BACK: David Rudisha of Kenya celebrates after winning the 800m race at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Hampden Park, Glasgow, on Saturday. (EPA)
Olympic champion David Rudisha equalled the best time in the world this year as he won the 800 metres at the Glasgow Diamond League meeting on Saturday.
Rudisha, who is still recovering from a knee injury that cut short his 2013 season, returned to Britain for the first time since shattering the world record at the London Olympics and won Saturday’s race in one minute 43.34 seconds.
The Kenyan was more than two seconds clear of South Africa’s Andre Olivier in second and equalled the best time of the year set by his countryman Asbel Kiprop last week. However, he was well short of his stunning 1:40.91 set at London 2012.
“I am getting back into shape and I’m happy to run a season’s best time despite the conditions not being the best for a perfect time,” said Rudisha. “I’m happy to have done what I came for.”
It was the 15th Diamond League win of the Olympic champion’s career and takes him to the top of the this year’s Diamond Race ahead of Olympic silver medallist Nijel Amos.
The Botswanan chose to run the 400m in Glasgow, where he finished last in 46.34 in the non-Diamond League event won by his compatriot Issac Makwala in 44.71, while Andre Olivier followed Rudisha home over two laps of Hampden Park.
The South African looks likely to be Rudisha’s main rival at Commonwealth Games here in three weeks’ time but he was more than two seconds back in 1:45.65. “It’s a great feeling to come here and test the field and the track ahead of the Commonwealth Games, it was a great experience,” added Rudisha.
Olympic gold medallists Allyson Felix of the United States and Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce are also working their way back from injuries and both were run down in the closing stages of their respective sprint races.
Fraser-Pryce was quick out the blocks in the 100m but Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye surged past her to win in 11.01 and stay undefeated this season.
The Jamaican, who was hampered by a leg injury earlier in the year, crossed the line second in a season’s best time of 11.10.
“It has been a rough two months for me, but I’m really pleased today that I executed,” she said.
Felix is working her way back to form after suffering a hamstring injury at last year’s world championships and could only finish second in the women’s 200m after being pipped on the line by Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands, who won in 22.34.
Queen Harrison won the women’s 100m hurdles 12.58, after easing past compatriot Lolo Jones in the final 30 metres, while former world championship silver medallist Silas Kiplagat strode clear in the home straight to win the men’s 1500m in 3:32.84.