Rudisha breaks world 800m record for second time

IN the absence of Usain Bolt, David Rudisha underlined why he'll be the star track and field name at October's Commonwealth Games.

Rudisha broke his own 800m world record for the second time in a week in Rieti, Italy.

The 21-year old Kenyan - who won this year's African title but didn't make the final of last year's World Championships - trimmed just eight hundredths off the time he set in Berlin, clocking 1.41.01. The previous best of 1:41.11, set by Denmark's Kenyan-born Wilson Kipketer's had stood for 13 years.

Sammy Tangui led through 400 metres but faded as another Kenyan, Boaz Kiplagat Lalang, was second and American Nick Symmonds came home in third.

Great Britain's Michael Rimmer - the European silver medallist - took fourth in a personal best 1.43.89, which moved him to sixth on the all-time national list.

Rudisha missed the Kenyan team trials for the Commonwealth Games but along with Janeth Jepkosgei, the former women's 800m world champion, was awarded a wildcard place for Delhi by selectors.

It was not the only impressive performance - Jamaica's Nester Carter equalled Tyson Gay's world leading time over 100m this year when he clocked a personal best 9.78 secs.