byLarry Eder
photo by PhotoRun.net
Rudisha, Amman, Symmonds impressed us in the semi-finals. This is how we saw the 800 meter semi-finals:
Abubaker Kaki, 2011 WC 800m, photo by PhotoRun.netIn the first semi-final, Abubaker Kaki hit the 200m in 23.46, 400m in 50.19 and was in the lead. As they came off the final turn, Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia went by Marcin Lewadowski of Poland, and both pushed Abubaker Kaki back to third. Amman ran 1:44.57, a PB for first, Lewandowski was second in 1:44.60, and Kaki was third in 1:44.62. Alfred Kiwa Yego was fourth in 1:44.82. All four moved to the final.
Nick Symmonds, 2011 WC 800m, photo by PhotoRun.netNick Symmonds took the second semi-final lead, hitting 25.42 for 200 meters and 52.83 for 400 meters. Yuriy Borzakovsky of Russia, the Olympic champion, came up on Symmonds shoulder and that is how it stayed, 1:45.73 for both, and they were only two to qualify from the second semi final!
David Rudisha, 2011 WC 800m, photo by PhotoRun.netIn semi-final three, David Rudisha won here in 1:44.20, after hitting the 400m in 51.19. Adam Kszcot of Poland took second in 1:44.81, taking the final spot in the final.
My picks: Rudisha, Borzakovsky, Symmonds
