Two Laps in Tokyo: Men’s 800m Tokyo 2021 Preview
No event excites like the Men’s 800m. This event consists of two fast laps of the track. It is the ultimate middle distance event, characterized by excruciating pain and impressive speed and endurance. However, the 800m is also a very unpredictable event. Unlike sprints, runners break into the first lane on the first straight away, as opposed to staying in their respective lanes. This condition creates tremendous chaos and drama. The 800m at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics will be no exception with an incredibly deep field. These are the names to look out for:
Donavan Brazier (UNITED STATES)
Donavan Brazier is arguably the favorite to win gold in Tokyo this summer. He comes into the games as the defending World Champion in the event and holds a PR of 1:42.34. At 23 years of age, he is one of the youngest in the field but already one of the most accomplished runners. Under his coach Pete Julien, Brazier could very well be back on top in Tokyo.
Ferguson Rotich (KENYA)
Rotich has excelled over the last decade with several impressive performances. At the age of 31, he will likely be one of the oldest runners in the field. Nevertheless, he is a seasoned veteran with experience in big championship races. Rotich finished fifth in the 800m final at the Rio Olympics in 2016, setting his personal best of 1:43.55. He also managed to finish in the bronze medal position at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. Rotich will likely navigate the heats and semifinals, booking a lane in his second Olympic 800m final.
Amel Tuka (BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA)
Last season, Tuka shockingly finished second at the 2019 Doha World Championships, taking home the silver medal. Though lesser-known, Tuka holds a personal best of 1:42.51 and will be a serious medal contender in Rio. He has a strong kick and will look to come through late in the race as he did in Doha. If the race is tactical, Tuka instantly becomes a heavy favorite. He has a background in 400m running in which he holds a personal best of 47.28s. His speed-endurance will serve him well once again in Tokyo.
David Rudisha (KENYA)
If Rudisha is fit, he will win a historic third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 800m. Rudisha currently holds the world record for the event of 1:40.91, a time he ran en route to an Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London games. However, Rudisha’s status is currently a big question mark. He has been plagued by injuries for years and has not raced since 2017. Nonetheless, he is reportedly slowly working his way back into shape. To participate in the 2016 Olympics, Rudisha had to overcome a severe injury and even missed the 2013 season in the prime of his career. There is no denying that a lot will have to go right for Rudisha to get back into form. Nonetheless, if he is healthy and well-trained, he will be unbeatable in Tokyo. He is the best 800m runner of all-time.
Wesley Vázquez (PUERTO RICO)
A courageous front runner, Vázquez masterfully navigated his way through heats in the 2019 Doha World Championships. Vázquez is not faint of heart and gives 100% every time he toes the line. However, in the 2019 Doha final, he ran into problems, fading late in the race. He will look to improve upon his fifth-place finish in Tokyo this summer.
Clayton Murphy (UNITED STATES)
A young phenom, Murphy burst onto the international stage at the 2016 games in Rio at 21, finishing in the bronze medal position in a time of 1:42.93. However, he has since battled injuries and finished a disappointing 8th place at the 2019 Doha World Championships. If Murphy is fit, he is extremely competitive. However, he still has much to prove.
Bryce Hoppel (UNITED STATES)
Bryce Hoppel has a solid chance of obtaining a medal in Tokyo. Like Brazier, Hoppel is only 23 years old and is quickly closing the gap on his sensational rival. At a Monaco Diamond League meet this past summer, Hoppel nearly defeated his counterpart, running a personal best of 1:43.23. A fourth-place finisher at the 2019 Doha World Championships, Hoppel should seek vengeance in Tokyo.
Nijel Amos (BOTSWANA)
At the 2012 London Olympics, a teenage Nijel Amo burst onto the international running scene, finishing just seconds behind Rudisha over 800m in an impressive 1:41.73. However, since his breakout at 18, he has regressed. Amos has seemingly battled injury after injury. He briefly came back into form in 2019, running a 1:41.89 at the 2019 Monaco Diamond League meeting before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. He has loads of talent, but his spotty record makes it unclear how Amos will perform in Tokyo.
