16-year old Kenyan goes out in 48.32 for 800, holds on and (barely) wins World Youth Gold

48/59 split.

Damn.

Anyone know how big his lead was after 400? Must have been pretty big to hold on with a 59.x closing lap.

Reminds me of a 400 guy at my HS that got thrown into an 800. He went through 400 in about 54 (maybe two seconds slower than his normal 400), and staggered home in 66. That experiment wasn't repeated.

If you win, you know how to race.

Hahahaha wow that's a classic burnout.

He should have known better at his age really.

Oh wait...he's 16...of course he is.

Langford had silver locked up until he eased up at the line and got outleaned by Tolokonnikov.

I love how the write up said he didn't fade.....

in many states, not a single 16 year old could break 48 for the 400

Sovcl wrote:

48/59 split.

Damn.

Is he related to Alysia Montano perhaps?

Dear Athletics Weekly: Yes, he did fade, he faded like crazy. But he still somehow won. Don't confuse winning with not fading. His strategy worked, he won, but he most certainly faded.

Great reaction for Kipketer on the final stretch after being nearly passed, while all the other africans faded

actually prefan, it's almost debatable that he "faded". depends on how you want to define it, but according tot he tv splits, he hit a 30 point for his 3rd 200, then came back to roll a 28something b/c he HAD to, witht hose other guys breathing down his neck. pretty damn impressive to roll out that fast, slow all the way down to 30s, then speed back UP to a 28 to close it out. unfreakinbelievable, really impressive, if even in a weird sort of way.

Check out my blog/commentary ontracktalk.net

You might enjoy it..then again, you might not....

The 800 kid actually went out in. 48.53 official......

Am trying to write as the events unfold...

trollism wrote:He should have known better at his age really.

Oh wait...he's 16...of course he is.

idiot

do you think a mature, experienced 800 guy woud go out in a solo suicidal 48+ ???

A lot of haters, but I think this is the PERFECT strategy.

I read Peter Coe's training book and in it he talked about how Seb would constantly go out hard as a kid and many times he got caught. However, Peter told Seb to keep on doing it because eventually the endurance will come and he'd be able to finish well.

Many people don't go out hard because of fear, but to train yourself to do it from an early age will really set you up to succeed as you grow. Its better to get into the pattern of going out hard and dying, as opposed to trying to run even.

The 800m really is a sprint...you're never gonna break WR's or be able to win big races if you can't go out in 49 or 48, so I think this kid is on the right track.

And yes, sometimes the sit-and-kick stuff works, but if we've learned anything from the greats, its to go out VERY hard and try to finish strong.

Fun race to watch and amazing for "youth" athletes, but I'm having a hard time believing the winner is only 16 after seeing his face and physical build. Sadly, the lack of reliable birth records in certain countries often makes the results of youth and junior events rather suspect.

tshakur wrote:I read Peter Coe's training book and in it he talked about how Seb would constantly go out hard as a kid and many times he got caught. However, Peter told Seb to keep on doing it because eventually the endurance will come and he'd be able to finish well

coe never went out in 48.6 in his life !!!

ventolin, with a high percentage of kenyan youth runners in the past being age cheaters, you cannot seriously think he's the right age.

I am here in Ukraine. I can confirm without a doubt that the Jenyan athlete indeed split 46.6 through the first 400m. I had roughly 1:15 through 600m. His lead was monstrous through the bell. Craziest thing I have witnessed.

Before the gun - himself & his Kenyan teammate also in the final spent a good couple of minutes privately speaking to one another while the field was being introduced. I can only imagine how that conversation went.