Amos� gold lights up a nation

Mqondisi Dube | Friday August 1, 2014 13:58

Golden moment: Botswana's Nijel Amos (centre) caused a suprise by beating world-record holder David Rudisha (right) in the Commonwealth Games 800m final at a wet Hampden Park PIC: GETTYIMAGES

What made the victory sweeter is that he emphatically eclipsed Kenyan nemesis, David Rudisha. He crossed the line in 1:45:18secs.

Rudisha tried to block him, but Amos had one message for the spluttering Kenyan wall; you cannot block talent.

Displaying pure tactical awareness, Amos let nemesis Rudisha and Kenyan counterpart, Ferguson Rotich immense themselves with the early but meaningless glory. Rudisha and Rotich clearly had a plan and blocked Amos’ early blast towards gold.

But he wore them down and typical of a predator, pounced in the final metres that mattered.

He effortlessly crushed the East African’s hope and his hands were already spread in celebration metres from the finish line. The golden moment had arrived. Social networks immediately went into overdrive as the nation suddenly sprung into celebratory mood and saluted Amos’ finest hour.

The 20-year-old Olympic Games’ silver medallist provided the perfect glimpse of what lies ahead for the Marobela born star.