23 Jul 2018

Nijel Amos’ World Lead (WL) record, which he set in Monaco on July 20, was shattered by his Kenyan track nemesis, Emmanuel Korir during the London Diamond League Meeting on July 22.

On July 20, Amos who had just returned from an injury, dropped a sweltering WL and Meeting Record of 1:42.14 in 800 metres.

However, on July 22, Korir obliterated the 1:42.14, claiming a WL crossing the line in 1:42.05, under Amos’ watch, with position two going to USA’s Clayton Murphy with 1:43.12.

Kenyan, Wyclife Kinyamal settled for position three with a Personal Best of 1:43.12, while Amos crossed the line on position four, stopping the clock at 1:43.29.

Amos approached the London race differently as he was probably fatiqued from the Friday race.

However, he said in an interview after the race, that he was happy that he managed to finish it healthy, adding that his goal was to get points that would put him in good stead to qualify for the finals.

He said what was important was the five points he amassed, adding that he was surprised to have clocked a good time considering that he also ran a good time on Friday.

“Currently, I am the first man to run 1:42:14 and 1:43.29 in a space of 48 hours, it’s super amazing. No one has ever done that before,” he said. 

He was confident that he would manage to defend his 800m Diamond League title, despite the fact that he currently lies outside the qualifying top bracket.

He is seating at position 14 with five points.

With only one race left in Birmingham, Amos said he just needed to amass more points and he would be through to the finals.

Track and field analyst, Billy Tambula said the lap was a very comfortable one for the athlete, except the fact that he had to run the most part of race on an outside lane.

He said Amos kept trying to get a space on the inner lane, but was denied that on numerous occasions by other athletes.

 The second lap, he said  was very fast and he did fight for position three the entire home straight and recorded  a very good time with only a day rest.

“One would comfortably say he is in very good shape.

That was a very fast race and it was smart of him not to run in front in this one.

It was going to be a suicidal approach against that strong field.

That attack on the home stretch is the highlight, this Nijel guy is now back and fit,” he said. ENDS