BONGANI MALUNGA
Nijel Amos will be aiming to extend his lead at the top of the IAAF Diamond League standings in the 800m category this Thursday. The fourth meet of this year’s Diamond League heads to Rome (Italy) at the world famous Stadio Olimpico arena this week, the race will be broadcast live on Supersport 8 from 8pm (CAT).
Amos is aiming to win a record setting fourth Diamond League trophy. He made the perfect start to the season by winning the first meet of the season in Doha, Qatar and he needs to maintain the best form to accumulate more points and qualify for the Diamond League final in August.
The 800m African champion is currently at the top of the Diamond League standings with 8 points, his closest challenger is Emmanuel Korir with seven points while USA athlete Donavan Brazier is ranked third with six points after the first race.
Korir has not been confirmed for the Rome edition and he looks set to miss the race. Any top three finish in Rome would still see Amos in a healthy position ahead of upcoming races.
The 800m entry list for the Rome race has been released, Amos will face the likes of Brazier, Harun Abda, Wyclife Kinyamal, Jonathan Kitlit, Andreas Kramer, Clayton Murphy, Adam Kszczot, Brandon McBride, Saul Ordonez and Ferguson Rotich. After the Rome meet, the next 800m race in the Diamond League series will be in Rabat, Morocco on June 16.