David Rudisha, the 800m world record holder and two-time Olympic champion, has revealed that injuries and weight challenges thwarted his ambitions to transition to distance running.
The Kenyan, renowned for his 1:40.91 world record set at the 2012 London Olympics, said he considered the move after two decades of dominating the two-lap race.
“I had competed in the 800m for a long time, and injuries had taken their toll on me,” said Rudisha, reflecting on his attempt to scale up to the 1,000m ahead of the 2017 World Athletics Championships.
“The results were terrible. My body felt bad—something I had never experienced before. I told myself, not again.”
World 800m record holder David Rudisha during a past competition.
Photo credit: File
In June 2017, Rudisha competed in the 1,000m at the Golden Spike Ostrava, finishing fourth with a time of 2:19.43.
“My body had not felt like that before…it was crazy. After that, I ran one more 800m race and that was it. I have never competed again,” said Rudisha, now 36.
Rudisha’s final race was the Gyulai István Memorial in Hungary on July 4, 2017, where he won in 1:44.90. However, a quad muscle strain prevented him from competing in the London World Championships later that year.
He returned to training in late 2018, but recurring injuries, including sitting bone pain, made another comeback impossible.
“Some athletes are lucky to return and perform, but not in my case, since I was a little bit heavy,” explained Rudisha, who competed at his peak weighing 78kg.
“I was perfect at 400m, 600m, and 800m, hence moving up proved difficult with the injuries and weight issues.”
David Rudisha (centre) runs to victory in his semi-final heat of the men's 800m event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 30, 2014. PHOTO | BEN STANSALL |
Rudisha’s career remains one of the most decorated in athletics history. He won Olympic gold in London 2012 in a world record time, becoming the first man to run the 800m in under 1:41.
However, knee and Achilles injuries led to extended absences, including missing the 2013 Moscow World Championships. He made a triumphant return in 2015, reclaiming his world title in Beijing before sealing his legacy in Rio the following year.
Having retired from competitive athletics, Rudisha is now involved in livestock farming, real estate, and property sales. He also serves as an Athletes’ Representative with Athletics Kenya.
“It’s good to stay in sports and share experiences to motivate the younger generation. We need to grow sports in different dimensions,” he said, emphasising the importance of diversifying ventures outside athletics.
Reflecting on his record, which has stood for over 12 years, Rudisha believes it may soon fall due to advancements in running technology and rising talent.
He singled out compatriot, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the reigning Olympic champion, as a strong contender.
“The record has stayed for 12 years, which shows it’s not easy to break, but it’s imminent,” said Rudisha.
“Wanyonyi ran 1:41.11 last year, equalling Wilson Kipketer’s 1997 mark, and he has the potential because of his speed, endurance, and courage to run in front.”
Wanyonyi’s remarkable performances last year included a 1:41.19 in Paris, where he won Olympic gold, and a 1:41.11 in Lausanne to become the second-fastest 800m runner in history.
Canadian Marco Arop, who ran 1:41.20 in Paris, is another athlete Rudisha sees as a contender.
“Winning an Olympic gold is important, but breaking a world record is a special gift,” said Rudisha.
“I see Wanyonyi having the potential. Standards are being set, but everything is all about motivation.”
Rudisha reflected on his own experience of breaking the world record, noting how rare it is to witness such feats.
“I never saw someone break a world record, not even Kipketer, until I did it myself,” he said.
“It will be a thriller to watch someone break my record as I watch from the stands. I always encourage Wanyonyi to stay positive and go for it when it’s time.”
