David Rudisha

David Rudisha
Rudisha at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea
Personal information
Birth nameDavid Lekuta Rudisha[1]
Born (1988-12-17) 17 December 1988 (age 35)[1]
Kilgoris, Narok County, Kenya[1]
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1][2]
Weight76 kg (168 lb)[1]
Sport
CountryKenya
SportTrack and field
Event800 metres
Achievements and titles
Personal bests
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Kenya
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2012 London 800 m
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro 800 m
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2011 Daegu 800 m
Gold medal – first place 2015 Beijing 800 m
Diamond League
First place 2010 800 m
First place 2011 800 m
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2006 Beijing 800 m
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 2014 Glasgow 800 m
African Championships
Gold medal – first place 2008 Addis Ababa 800 m
Gold medal – first place 2010 Nairobi 800 m
Representing Africa
Continental Cup
Gold medal – first place 2010 Split 800 m

David Lekuta Rudisha, MBS (born 17 December 1988)[3] is a retired Kenyan middle-distance runner who is the world and Olympic record holder in the 800 metres. Rudisha won gold medals in the 800 m at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where, at the former, he set the world record in the event with a time of 1:40.91. He is also a two-time World champion (2011 and 2015) and two-time Diamond League champion (2010 and 2011) in the 800 m. Rudisha is the first and only person to ever run 800 m under 1:41, and he holds the three fastest times ever run in this event, each being a world record when set.[4]

Rudisha established his running career at the St. Francis Kimuron High School in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. He won 800 m titles at the 2006 World Junior Championships as well as the 2008 and 2010 African Championships, and earned the 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medal. He also holds the world's best time in the 500 metres[a] and the African best for the 600 metres. He is a two-time Diamond League 800 m winner. Rudisha won the IAAF World Athlete of the Year award in 2010 and three consecutive Track & Field News Athlete of the Year awards.

In May 2022, Rudisha announced he would be running for election in his native Kenya as an independent candidate in the Kilgoris Constituency.[5] In March 2024, Rudisha served as the World Athletics ambassador for the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.[6]

  1. ^ a b c d e Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "David Rudisha". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  2. ^ Wokabi, James; Mutuota, Mutwiri (15 July 2008). "Focus on Athletes: David Lekuta Rudisha". IAAF.org. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  3. ^ "David RUDISHA – Athlete Profile". World Athletics. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Men's 800 Metres All-Time List". IAAF.org. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  5. ^ Malowa, Didacus (3 May 2022). ""I'm shocked!": Rudisha's wife Naanyu surprised he's seeking Kilgoris MP seat". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Rudisha announced as ambassador for WIC Glasgow 24 | News | Glasgow 24 | World Athletics Indoor Championships". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2 March 2024.


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