men's 800 semis - who got the worst draw

I think Heat 1 and 3 are the toughest going off of big names and talent.

No excuses if he doesn't make the final? I'd say no excuses if he doesnt win.

Yeah Heat 1 was brutal. KD gave it is best shot but just missed the top 4. Looks like all 4 of them might make the final.

Kaki finishes third in first heat, but has a good chance of getting a Q because the race was around 1:44.

He had about a 30m lead 500m in and crashed hard with 150 to go. KD surged into 3rd with 150, but couldn't close with the others.

the 2nd heat was slow, KD made it in by time!

I loved hearing the Korean announcers on TV saying, "Neek Seemound-sa!" He's in for the final.

scratch that, there are three heats. darn

ahh KAKI WON'T MAKE IT as auto qualifier!!!

gets third in first heat, but 1:44 so should make it through, although he ran a TERRIBLE race, yet again.

symmonds CONTROLS second heat and finishes 2nd alongside large Russian.

asdfasdfasdf wrote:

the 2nd heat was slow, KD made it in by time!

I thought top two fastest move on? Yego and Kaki would get those spots.

Kaki made it in by time.

So this is the final:

Rudisha

Yego

Kaki

Ksczot

Lewandowski

Symmonds

Borza

Aman

If Kaki recovers from today's effort, it will be him vs Rudisha, but pay attention to Aman, he's been quite impressive.

Mourinho wrote:If Kaki recovers from today's effort, it will be him vs Rudisha, but pay attention to Aman, he's been quite impressive.

Kaki looked pretty vulnerable after his first round effort. I don't think there's any reason to believe he will recover better for the final. I think 2nd place is wide open.

Well said.

Symmonds looked good, controlled the race perfectly. He won't be able to do that in the final, but could sneak in for a medal if he runs as smart as he did in the semi. Different tactics will be needed to do that - maybe even sitting off the back (as he has often done) and passing the carnage if Rudisha and Kaki go off really fast.

Symmonds definitely got a shout at Silver but Rudisha has this in the bag.

If Kaki goes with Rudisha, I don't think he will medal. He didn't look strong in that semi with a fast first lap. Kaki would crush the rest of the field if he held back and get silver easily.

But Kaki obviously wants to win, and he's going to give himself the best chance to do that. Should be a great final because all the big names made it.

Going to be a great final. Another man who has looked very good is Adam Kshzcxzqchzhczhot. The conventional pick would be:

1. Rudisha

2. Kaki

3. Symmonds, Aman, or Kzqzgzczszzxzhot.

But I think it could well be:

1. Rudisha

2. Aman

3. Kzqxszqgxzzhot.

I wouldn't rule our Yuri Borza for a medal though. He has done it before at this level, whereas Symmonds has yet to do this (hopefully that changes this year). The "kid" is also a danger man as who knows what he can do if he also runs smart.

Does Kaki have to go with Rudisha in order to beat him, or can he run even pace (Like Yuri and Nick often do) and kick off of that? After 2 1.44's, that might be the safer tactic, but does he know how to do this and has he got the patience anyway?

can-can wrote:

I wouldn't rule our Yuri Borza for a medal though. He has done it before at this level, whereas Symmonds has yet to do this (hopefully that changes this year). The "kid" is also a danger man as who knows what he can do if he also runs smart.

I agree. He has looked just as good as Symmonds in the heats so far. If Kaki pulls a similar stunt, I could see Borza blowing past him for a silver. He's looked very relax pulling away in each heat at 100m left.

Usain Bolt out of 100m. Kenenisa Bekele out of 10000m. Mo farah just second in 10000m.

Rudisha, if he wins the 800m he risks to be the winner of this World champs. Rudisha world champion would mean 32 wins in 800m. 32 wins with 2 world records in the process.