Botswana’s 800 metres champion, Nijel Amos is likely to face a tough time at the forthcoming China Athletics Championships. His main rival and World record holder, David Rudisha is quoted in Kenyan media as saying he will be out in full force to regain his fading credibility.
Rudisha is also quoted as saying he will be fully fit and prepared for the championships. Since the 2012 London Olympics where he won gold, the Kenyan has been hampered by injuries which resulted in him being in inconsistent form. Some athletics commentators have made it clear that Rudisha’s prospect of winning a gold medal at the championships is in great danger because of Amos. Amos, on the other hand, has taken full advantage of Rudisha’s slump in form.
As an 18-year-old, Amos got the second position behind Rudisha at the 2012 Olympics and since then they have met six times with Amos winning all the races. So far, Amos will be looking forward to winning Botswana’s first gold medal in the 800m and his main rival will be Rudisha. Athletes who pose potential threats to Amos include the likes of Ayanleh Souleiman (Djibouti), Amel Tuka (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Mohammed Aman (Ethiopia) and Timothy Kitum (Kenya). The only athlete from Botswana to win a medal at the World Athletics championships is Amantle Montsho in the 400m category. However, she will not be competing this year due to a doping suspension.
Montsho won gold in 2011 in a dramatic photo finish with American Allyson Felix. Montho Montsho who broke her personal best then also pushed Felix to break her own record. Two years down the line, Montsho won a silver medal in another photo finish with British runner Christina Ijeoma Ohuruogu. Although Botswana is sending a team of eight athletes to the Championships, it is Amos who is carrying hopes of many Batswana since he is in good shape.
