Women’s 800: Eunice Sum Keeps Her Undefeated Streak Going As Ajee Wilson Gets Season’s Best

by LetsRun.com
June 11, 2014

World Champion Eunice Sum continued her winning ways picking up the win at the 2014 ExxonMobil Bislett Games in Oslo today in 1:59.02. In second and third, both going sub 2:00 for the first time in 2014, were 20-year-old American Ajee Wilson, second in 1:59.68 and 19-year-old Brit Jessica Judd, third in 1:59.77.

American Worlds bronze medallist, Brenda Martinez, coming off her 1:59.24 season’s best win in Hengelo three days ago, was a non factor here fading to 10th 2:02:27. Former World Champ Caster Semenya was last in 2:03.68.

Eunice Sum over Wilson and Judd Eunice Sum over Wilson and Judd

Once the rabbit Selma Kajan (57.45) dropped out, this was all Eunice Sum. Halfway down the backstretch, Sum was in front and had a slight gap on the field which was bunched behind her, some three wide, fighting for position. They’d never catch up. Sum was never challenged and her 1:59.02 was a season’s best as the top four all ran season’s bests.

Quick Take #1: Eunice Sum keeps her 800 winning streak going as she’s now won 7 straight 800s this year including three Diamond League races.

In fact, Sum has not crossed the finish line second in an 800 since the Kenyan National Championships in June 2013. Since then (including heats at Worlds) she’s won 11-races straight (13 including the heats at Worlds) and was never really threatened today.

QT #2: Not a good day for Brenda Martinez.

Getting the win in Hengelo in 1:59.24 three days ago was nice, but did that take something out of her here tonight?

QT #3: Ajee Wilson gets a strong runner-up finish in a season’s best 1:59.68 (her PB is 1:58.21).

Article continues below player.

She closed well in the last 100 to win the battle against Judd just before the line. Wilson has raced a ton this year as she has 14 races in 2014, but always seems to peak well. Last year she ran her first sub-2 at US Champs and then ran her 1:58 final in the World Champs final. Can’t time your peak much better than that.

QT#4: UK’s 19-year-old Jessica Judd gets the second sub-2 of her career as she broke her previous PR of 1:59.85.

She was ecstatic after the race talking to the BBC.

QT #5: Caster Semenya was again a disappointment finishing DFL in 2:03.68, although this is still a huge improvement over the 2:06.35 she ran 3-days ago in Hengelo.

This pretty much seals the deal on her not making the Commonwealth Games as she was trying to make a last-ditch effort to get a fast time after the South African deadline had already passed, but this isn’t even a SB.

Results and more photos below:

RANK ATHLETE NATION RESULT DIAMOND POINTS DIAMOND RANKING
1
KEN
1:59.02
SB
12
1
img
2
USA
1:59.68
SB
3
2
3
GBR
1:59.77
PB
1
5
4
KEN
2:00.20
SB
5
POL
2:00.43
6
USA
2:00.79
7
KEN
2:00.95
PB
8
CAN
2:01.06
9
NOR
2:02.23
10
USA
2:02.27
11
MAR
2:02.33
12
RSA
2:03.68
AUS
DNF
Intermediate times:
400m KAJAN, Selma (AUS) 57.45
600m SUM, Eunice Jepkoech (KEN) 1:28.98
Everyone trying to get in position on backstretch Everyone trying to get in position on backstretch
Eunice Sum had gapped the field a little at 600 Eunice Sum had gapped the field a little at 600
Eunice Sum Wins in Oslo Eunice Sum Wins in Oslo
Want More? Join The Supporters Club Today
Support independent journalism and get:
  • Exclusive Access to VIP Supporters Club Content
  • Bonus Podcasts Every Friday
  • Free LetsRun.com Shirt (Annual Subscribers)
  • Exclusive Discounts
  • Enhanced Message Boards