DAVID RUDISHA
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 17, 1988 |
| GENDER | Male |
| OCCUPATION | Athlete |
Biography
David Rudisha is a retired Kenyan middle-distance runner who specialized in the 800 metres. He is a two-time back-to-back Olympic champion from the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, a two-time World champion from the 2011 and 2015 World Championships.
David Rudisha Family
Rudisha’s family boasts a strong background in athletics. His father Daniel was a celebrated retired athlete, who won the silver medal during the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games.
Inspired by this, he was highly motivated to follow in his footsteps. Rudisha not only realized this dream but exceeded it, winning two consecutive 800m Olympic gold medals and setting a new world record.
Career
David began his professional athletic career in 2005. In April of that year, he trained under Brother Colm O’Connell, an Irish missionary and Geography teacher at St. Patrick’s Iten school.
Rudisha was recommended to James Templeton by Japheth Kimutai, a former trainee of Brother Colm.
Thereafter, he then joined a group of athletes managed by Templeton, which included runners like Kimutai, Augustine Choge, and Bernard Lagat.
Before transitioning to the 800m, David began his career as a 400m runner, aiming to follow in his father’s footsteps and emulate his achievements.
However, the year after, he recorded an impressive time of 1:49.6 in a two-lap event on a dirt track, an outstanding performance for a 15-year-old.
David went on to become the world junior champion in the 800 m category in 2006. As such, he established a legacy for himself in the 800m race between 2010 and 2012 as he was in his prime and free of any injury.
Likewise, at the age of 21, he became the youngest ever athlete to win the IAAF World Athlete of the Year award in November 2010.
Likewise, on August 22, 2010, Rudisha surpassed the 800m World Record previously held by Wilson Kipketer, setting a new benchmark at the ISTAF meeting in Berlin.
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