Kenya's Rudisha eyes Monaco, Glasgow conquest in comeback strategy

Nairobi, June 20 (IANS) Kenya's Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha has confirmed he will only compete in two more Diamond League races in Monaco and Glasgow before heading to the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

"It is good to get back in form and win a competition," said Rudisha here Thursday, reports Xinhua.

"As I said, getting back into the competition was the biggest test. Winning is important, but at the moment it was not what was making me fear. I have passed that hurdle and now the focus is on getting my body back to the optimum best and see what else is lined up for me by the management."

The World Record holder 1: 40.91 is also the 2012 Olympic gold medallist and 2011 IAAF World Champion at 800 metres.

In his US debut in New York in 2012, Rudisha sent the crowd into a frenzy with a stunning final lap that saw him stop the clock at 1:41.74, the fastest time ever run in USA.

The 25-year-old Kenyan holds six of the 10-fastest times in history.

But after suffering a knee injury in training in 2013, Rudisha has been absent, only returning to competition a month ago.

He lost in Eugene, Preffontaine Classic May 31 finishing seventh, but returned stronger in New York to win.

Now he has confirmed he will be heading back to the Diamond League meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, July 11.

The meeting has been moved from its traditional venue in London to Glasgow, which will also host the 20th Commonwealth Games from July 23 to Aug 3.

His coach Colm O'Connelll said it was a positive indication that Rudisha is returning to fitness well.

"That was a good show. But we can't push him hard. He will have hit his top from at least in a month's time before the Commonwealth Games.

"He will compete in Glasgow and then head to Monaco, where he will take on the world's best line up in 800m. He will return to the Commonwealth Games, also in Glasgow," said O Connell.