Edmonton 800 m reports and previews

Final report   Final preview   Semifinal reports   Heat reports   Preview

Edmonton 800 m final report

Bucher triumphs in Edmonton

It may have been an expensive lesson that was learnt in Sydney by many athletes, but they had all done their homework quite well when they arrived in Edmonton. The lesson was that a slower race can easily be lost by the favourites. Schumann had notched up the European and Olympic titles that way, Bucher and the Kenyans appeared to have decided that on this occasion they were going to make sure he was not going to make it three out of three.

The first fifty metres were very telling. Five athletes dashed for the leading positions, three made a more modest start. When they had sorted themselves out it was Bungei who set out on a furious pace, followed by Bucher and Yiampoy. Sepeng and Mulaudzi followed ahead of Tighazouine and Schumann with Pawel Czapiewski apparently running his own race, being in last position as usual. The split at 200 was 24.73, and as Bungei kept going Bucher's chances were ever growing. At the bell they clocked 50.41, which is nearly world record pace. Only one man can currently sustain such pace, and he proved it coming into the back straight. Bucher swept past Bungei and reached the 600 mark in 1.16.39, still followed by Bungei and Yiampoy. A big gap between these three and the other five made it look unlikely that anyone outside the top three had any medal chance left.

Into the home straight Bucher went away, but all three leaders appeared to be slightly paying for their efforts. Only one man was able to take advantage of that though. From the back Czapiewski emerged, managing to pass a fading Yiampoy and even getting close to the silver. But no one was getting anywhere near André Bucher. His winning time was 1.43.70, and of the other finalists only Sepeng has ever run faster than that. But Sepeng this time never looked in it and effectively gave up when he came into the home straight a long way down on the leaders.

And so it was a very happy trio on the rostrum. Bucher will take the World Title to the Weltklasse Zürich, where he will no doubt enjoy the celebration of his life. Wilfred Bungei was beaming, feeling no doubt that the silver medal was really the best he could possibly have hoped for. But the biggest grin was on the face of Pawel Czapiewski as he found himself with yet another PB and a medal he probably never even dreamt of.

Final result:

   1  André Bucher             SUI 1.43.70
   2  Wilfred Bungei           KEN 1.44.55
   3  Pawel Czapiewski         POL 1.44.63
   4  William Yiampoy          KEN 1.44.96
   5  Nils Schumann            GER 1.45.00
   6  Mbulaeni Mulaudzi        RSA 1.45.01
   7  Khalid Tighazouine       MAR 1.45.58
   8  Hezekiél Sepeng          RSA 1.46.68

   splits: 24.73 (Bungei) 
           50.41 (Bungei)
         1.16.39 (Bucher)

Edmonton 800 m final preview

Just 24 hours to go, and the Edmonton 800 m final looks like it could be as intriguing as any other final of these so far fascinating championships. Eight men from six countries will try to outrun and outwit each other, for unlike the shorter distances the 800 meter carries a large tactical element. That's why it may be significant that there are two Kenyans and two South-Africans in the final. Some kind of team tactics could be considered. The problem for the Kenyans is that they look about equally strong, so neither Yiampoy nor Bungei would want to sacrifice their medal chances. It's different with the South-Africans as Sepeng would appear to have a much better chance than Mulaudzi. The problem for all of them is that a fast pace is likely to play into the hands of the biggest favourite, Swiss André Bucher. On the other hand they all know quite well what Schumann can do in case of a slower pace, so it's a bit of a dilemma for most of them. Czapiewski from Poland is unlikely to set any kind of pace, as he usually compensates a slow start with a fast finish. Moroccan Tighazouine is the slowest of them all on paper, so we should not expect fireworks from him.

So are we going to see a slow race after all? Somehow it looks unlikely the Kenyans will allow that too happen. Neither of them has the power and strength to do well when the runners are bunched close together. And if they don't Bucher might just try to set some pace himself. The first 400 meters should be most telling. If the first lap goes in 51.5 or faster one should think Bucher, the Kenyans and Sepeng will be fighting over the medals, with just an outside chance for Schumann. But if the bell is not reached in less than 53 seconds Schumann and Czapiewski could well grab the opportunity and even Tighazouine could be a surprise package. If the pace is anything in between it's really anybody's race and we could see a tremendous tactical battle between at least six athletes fighting over the medals over the final meters. No matter what will happen it promises to be high drama.

Edmonton 800 m semifinal reports

From each of the two semifinals just the four fastest could advance to the final. Time was therefore unimportant, and slow but tactical races were to be expected. On paper the first semi, with Sepeng, Schumann, Bungei and Nduwimana, looked tougher than the second one which should feature Bucher and Yiampoy

• Semifinal 1
  As expected nobody really wanted to set the pace, but it was Bungei who found himself leading after 200, followed by Nduwimana, Wachira, Tighazouine, Sepeng, Schumann, Krummenacker all bunched fairly tight together with Dube running last as he does more often. After the first lap took a moderate 52.50 the race looked just about perfect for fast finishers such as Schumann. Bungei kept leading in a pretty good pace. Around 500 Wachira started to weaken but Dube started to make progress. Around the bend Bungei kept going, Tighazouine moved up to run along Nduwimana, with Sepeng and Dube fighting it out for fourth. Schumann looked in trouble behind them, Krummenacker and Wachira were effectively out of the race. Into the final straight Bungei looked strong, but Nduwimana weakened and was passed by Tighazouine. For a few moments it looked as though Schumann was blocked behind a three man row of Nduwimana, Sepeng and Dube. Sepeng accelerated however and Schumann neatly moved outside and into the gap. Neither Dube nor Nduwimana could answer his challenge. So Bungei won it, Tighazouine second and Schumann eventually claimed the third qualifying spot just ahead of Sepeng. Nduwimana and Dube were run out of it on the final straight, Krummenacker never looked like qualifying, Wachira finished last.
• Semifinal 2
  Athletes such as Bucher and Yiampoy do not particularly like tactical races, so a pacemaker would come in handy. Amazingly (or perhaps not?) Jamaican Watts did them a great service as he resolutely took the lead and ensured the first lap was covered in a pretty fast 51.40. At the bell Yiampoy and Bucher were following Watts, behind them Mulaudzi, Hecini, Hatungimana and Som were in pursuit with Czapiewski way behind relying on his sprint finish. Bucher and Yiampoy passed Watts who quickly fell behind and finished last eventually. Som could not find any stamina either and lost contact, but Czapiewski made a bit of progress into sixth place. Into the final straight six runners were well strung out, led by Bucher ahead of Yiampoy, Hatungimana, Mulaudzi, Hecini and Czapiewski. Mulaudzi found something extra and went into third place, and Czapiewski produced another amazing sprint finish as he first went past Hecini and then managed to overtake Hatungimana as well to snatch the fourth ticket into the final. Both Mulaudzi and Czapiewski produced personal bests in the process.

Semifinal results:

   1  Wilfred Bungei           KEN 1.45.66
   2  Khalid Tighazouine       MAR 1.45.69
   3  Nils Schumann            GER 1.45.86
   4  Hezekiél Sepeng          RSA 1.45.97
   5  Jean-Patrick Nduwimana   BDI 1.46.42
   6  Glody Dube               BOT 1.46.91
   7  David Krummenacker       USA 1.47.46
   8  Nicholas Wachira         KEN 1.48.93

   1  André Bucher             SUI 1.44.47
   2  William Yiampoy          KEN 1.44.61
   3  Mbulaeni Mulaudzi        RSA 1.44.81
   4  Pawel Czapiewski         POL 1.44.89
   5  Arthémon Hatungimana     BDI 1.45.21
   6  Adem Hecini              ALG 1.46.02
   7  Bram Som                 NED 1.47.40
   8  Marvin Watts             JAM 1.47.64

Edmonton 800 m heat reports

The heats do not ususally produce many surprises, although some athletes looked rather impressive while the form of some others may have been a bit suspect. All the real favourites came through though. There were five heats, with the top two from each heat qualifying for the semi's and an additional six places for the fastest losers. This is what happened in the heats:

• Heat 1
  Featuring Schumann, Sepeng and Hatungimana this heat looked very competitive. Hatungimana led at the bell in a modest 53.43 and kept going strongly all the way. On the home straight Sepeng went past on the outside and Schumann sneaked through at the inside, with all the others at least 20 meters behind. Hatungimana's time was easily fast enough to qualify, but the others went out, including the USA's Derrick Peterson.
  Result: 1. Schumann 1.45.69; 2. Sepeng 1.45.93; 3. Hatungimana 1.45.97
• Heat 2
  Bungei and Som were fastest on paper here. Bungei took them out in 51.98 and never faltered. Into the straight Bungei and Som were at least 12 meters ahead of anybody else. Then Czapiewski sprinted home from nowhere and edged out Som for second place, with Bungei winning in an impressive 1:44.73. Som's time was still enough to qualify.
  Result: 1. Bungei 1.44.73; 2. Czapiewski 1.45.57; 3. Som 1.45.60
• Heat 3
  With Bucher in nobody else was going to take the lead. Bucher stayed well clear of trouble and led after the first lap in 51.26 followed by Moroccan Tighazouine and Mulaudzi. He slowed down a bit after that allowing the Moroccan to pass him but when Mulaudzi tried to do likewise he accelerated and easily won the heat. Tighazouine took second place and Mulaudzi's time was fast enough as well. USA's Khadevis Robinson was among those that went out.
  Result: 1. Bucher 1.45.49; 2. Tighazouine 1.45.63; 3. Mulaudzi 1.46.05
• Heat 4
  Lekote and Yiampoy were the main contenders on paper, but when Lekote took the lead and then slowed it down to a poor 55.02 after 400 it was clear that anybody with a sprint finish was in with a chance. Yiampoy took over at 600 with six runners bunched up within a few steps of each other: Yiampoy, Lekote, Reina (Spain), Jansen (Belgium), Krummenacker (USA) and the Canadian Brannen. Yiampoy never looked back and stayed just ahead of anybody else. Fifty meters out first Lekote and than Brannen ran out of steam. Jansen looked to grab second place, but lasted just too short as well. Reina and Krummenacker then dashed for the line and the American just managed to avert a total USA disaster, being the only one out of three to qualify.
  Result: 1. Yiampoy 1.48.02; 2. Krummenacker 1.48.15
• Heat 5
  Before this heat started only three fastest losers had managed a time below 1.47, so the competitors knew exactly that even finishing fifth could get them into the semis as long as they went below 1.47. Nduwimana took them sensibly out in 51.16, and six runners then raced the clock rather then each other. Belgian Omey found he couldn't sustain the pace so the others qualified relatively comfortably, with Nduwimana and Dube finishing first and second and Jamaican Watts notching up a PB.
  Result: 1. Nduwimana 1.45.13; 2. Dube 1.45.39; 3. Hecini 1.45.56; 4. Wachira 1.45.97; 5. Watts 1.46.43

Prediction for the semifinals: Bucher and Sepeng still look firm favourites, and Schumann looked comfortable as well. If the heat hasn't taken too much out of him Bungei should qualify for the final and so should Yiampoy. Nduwimana also looks a safe bet. That leaves two more places, with probably Dube, Som, Hatungimana and Mulaudzi as the main contenders. The others are Hecini, Tighazouine, Czapiewski, Wachira, Krummenacker, Watts - any one of them will do very well to reach the final.

Edmonton 800 m preview

The Edmonton 800 m final looks set for a bruising contest. With several favorites out of the race before the championships have even started the pressure upon the remaining stars might have increased. Many may feel that this year's race offers them a unique chance for glory.

So who has the best chance to win? For a start let's take a look at the athletes that will not take part in Edmonton:

• Wilson Kipketer
  After such hugely succesful seasons as 1997 and 1999 the triple World Champion had a disappointing 2000 season. He has not raced this season due to injury. One wonders how much of that is due to mental injury after missing out on the Olympic title.
• Djabir Said-Guerni
  After an amazing rise to the front in 1999 Djabir had a fantastic 2000 season. So much so that he might well have been dissatisfied with his Olympic bronze. He has raced this year, but after finishing last a few times he has withdrawn from this year's championships.
• Yuriy Borzakovskiy
  The Russian wonder boy has had a busy season. He won the World Indoor Championship, raced in many meetings, took the European U23 400 m title, then suddenly declared that he would not take part in Edmonton. Afraid of burn-out was the rather odd reason.
• Joseph Mutua
  Fastest Kenyan runner of the season, but unfortunately he came only fourth in his national trials. Ran a brilliant PB in Monaco and would have been selected in virtually any other country on the strength of that.
• Japheth Kimutai
  Three years ago Japheth looked set for huge things. He was easily the number one of the 1998 season, but seems a pale shadow of himself lately.

With so many main contenders out it's pretty hard to predict who might reach the final. There are two safe bets, though:

• André Bucher
  There have been three sub 1:44' races so far this season and the young Swiss has won all three of them. That should make him the favorite in everybody's book. After some ill luck in last year's Olympic final this could well be his year.
• Hezekiél Sepeng
  The talented South African is still chasing an elusive major title. Second places in Atlanta and again in Sevilla have shown he can do it. But time is running out, and with Borzakovskiy around it might well be too late in 2003. Although still only 27 years old it's probably now or never for him.

None of the other athletes seem certainties for the final. Many have a fair chance though, such as:

• Nils Schumann
  The Olympic champion has hardly competed so far this season, and when he did the results were fair but hardly impressive. But the situation before Sydney was not very different, so noone should write him off.
• Patrick Nduwimana
  A consistent runner, yet to show his potential in a major championship. Has improved to sub 1:44' this season.
• Glody Dube
  Made a surprise appearance in the Sydney final. Has steadily improved since and has raced consistently well this season.
• Otukile Lekote
  Appeared from nowhere in the American college circuit, and took the Botswana national record from Dube in the process.
• William Yiampoy
  Over the past few years the Kenyans have been erratic on the 800 m. No Kenyan made it to the Sydney final for instance. Still, Yiampoy has raced well this year, and he'll be disappointed should he miss the final.
• Wilfred Bungei
  Second in the Kenyan trials, and four sub 1:45" marks already this year. His speed will have to compensate his lack of experience at this level.

Finally several athletes look set to struggle to make it past the semifinals.

• Nicholas Wachira
  Third in the Kenyan trials, but has never yet performed well in a race of real international level such as the Golden League. Has not broken 1:45" either.
• Bram Som
  Favorite to take the U23 title earlier this year, but could only manage fourth in a blanket finish. Struggled to make the selection, but did run a strong PB of 1:43.98 in Monaco.
• The Americans
  The USA contingent consists of David Krummenacker, Derrick Peterson and Khadevis Robinson. The difficult task of trying to emulate the results of such former US 800 m runners as Gray, Everett and Kenah could prove too much of a burden. None of them has ever really featured at European top level, and none of them have broken 1:45", although all three have been quite close.
• Mbulaeni Mulaudzi
  Very young South African athlete, and a rank outsider, who might just live up to the occasion.
• Pavel Czapiewski
  The success story of Polish athletics could just take another twist here.