As 800m World Champion Mohammed Aman made his final surge down the home straight at last weekend’s Eugene Diamond League, it was almost inevitable that he would add another victory to his 13 race winning streak.
However this race would prove different, as an ungainly figure strode past the world champion, increasing the margin with every step. After crossing the line he looked un-phased, with no element of surprise on his face, after just beating the best in the world.
But 20 year old Botswanan, Nijel Amos has been here before. For those who didn’t know, this man finished second at the Olympic games in London 2012, an achievement somewhat overshadowed by the heroics of David Rudisha, on that unforgettable summers night.
To add to this, Amos was just 18 years old when he ran 1.41.73 in the final two years ago, to go joint third on the all-time list, and become Botswana’s first ever Olympic medallist. The silver medal winning time will forever remain with the athlete, as he proudly tattooed it on his forearm shortly after the games.
Despite incredible success at such a tender age, expectation and pressure began to rise on the teenager, as he became a national hero overnight.
Whilst this had its obvious perks along with a healthy pay package, and even six cows, Amos dropped off the radar in 2013, with an alleged thigh injury. Reports also suggested he had quit the sport to pursue his passion as a DJ.
Even though Amos insisted his DJ career was just to keep him occupied in the off season, the prospect of loosing this athlete was saddening for the event.
Remarkably, Amos was being coached by his geography teacher on a dirt track at his local school, just six months before the 2012 Olympics, demonstrating the natural talent which oozes from the African.
Secondary to this, his dogged determination and ability to dig deep when it hurts contributes to his impressive armoury, after his exhausted body had to be stretchered off the finish line in London. Amos also limped his way to the World University Games title in early 2013, as his thigh injury began to kick in.
Nigel Amos will face the biggest challenge of his career so far this summer, when he goes toe to toe with an out of form David Rudisha, for the Commonwealth Games 800m title.
So far this season, Amos has raced twice over the distance, missing out on a victory against Ethiopian prodigy Mohammed Aman by 0.05 seconds, before avenging that defeat last Saturday.
Speaking to Steve Cram after the race, Amos insisted he was only 75% fit, spreading a buzz of excitement amongst fans, who believe the junior world champion may be the man capable of ultimately dethroning Rudisha, and his dominance in the event.
In the short term, Amos may compete at the next Diamond League in New York on June 14th, where David Rudisha who has promised to improve on his last performance, will be waiting for him, in what promises to be a classic showdown.
