David Rudisha hails Irish coach’s advice with golden display

Kenya stole the show on Day Four of the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing with David Rudisha returning to form to win the 800m in 1:45.84 while his unheralded compatriot, Nicholas Bett, surprisingly captured the 400m hurdles title in 47.79 seconds.

Rudisha, coached by Mallow’s Brother Colm O’Connell, used his customary front-running tactics but ran at a slower more controlled pace than usual. Passing 400m in 54.17 seconds it seemed the Kenyan kingpin was leaving himself wide open to a host of fast finishers, but there was no stopping him in the home straight.

“I was very confident coming here,” said Rudisha who has struggled with a serious knee injury since winning the Olympics in 2012.