The weather was fine, but otherwise nothing was indicating something quite special was going to happen in the Desert Heat Classic 800m race at Tucson, Arizona. Until 22-year old Michael Saruni displayed his huge talent.

After a reasonably fast first lap Saruni said he just felt good, so he decided to try to run a real fast time. And fast it was. With 1:43.25 he broke the NCAA record of 1:43.55, set two years ago by Donavan Brazier. And to add a nice trivia fact, it was also the fastest time ever run in the month of April.

Michael Saruni of course also won the NCAA indoor title earlier this year. And he set a 600m indoor world best as well. His time of 1:43.25 is so fast that last season only two athletes (Emmanuel Korir and Nijel Amos) managed to run faster, and even they could do so only once. Michael Saruni may well become one of the new stars on 800m running.

    Result:
 1  Michael Saruni         KEN   1:43.25
 2  Carlos Villareal       MEX   1:46.70
 3  Jonah Koech            KEN   1:47.12
 4  Collins Kibet          KEN   1:47.83
 5  Hari Sathymurti        USA   1:49.93
 6  Brian Smith            USA   1:50.68

The Kenyans though had other ideas. On the back straight Kinyamal saw how Amos was unable to press on and took over the lead. His compatriot Kitilit followed in third position. In the final straight though all three were visibly tiring. Kyle Langford and Luke Mathews were sprinting home looking for medals. Kitilit could only finish sixth, and a despearately disappointed Amos strolled home in last position.

Kinyamal though held on, if only just. It was a small miracle, he said. Due to a stiff back it had been unsure whether he could start at all. And now he could dream of more success. His career at the 800 m started only recently, since he was more inclined to do the high jump. And perhaps, he said, he may now meet David Rudisha, his hero. Who lives just a few minutes away, but who he has never yet spoken to. Surely that wish will soon be granted now.

    Result:
 1  Wycliffe Kinyamal      KEN   1:45.11
 2  Kyle Langford          ENG   1:45.16
 3  Luke Mathews           AUS   1:45.60
 4  Jake Wightman          SCO   1:45.82
 5  Brad Mathas            NZL   1:46.07
 6  Jonathan Kitilit       KEN   1:46.12
 7  Joseph Deng            AUS   1:47.20
 8  Nijel Amos             BOT   1:48.45

And another one! After a streak of indoor victories this season Adam Kszczot was the clear favourite before the race. When no one wanted to take the lead during the first two laps (just 55.77 at 400 m) they played right into the hands of the quick Pole. With two devastating finishing laps (the last one in 25.06!) he proved once again that he is next to unbeatable in any sort of tactical race.

Kszczot has now collected an amazing array of medals: twice he took silver at the outdoor WC. Two golds and a bronze at the outdoor EC. Three European indoor titles, and now a World Indoor Gold to go with his silver from 2014 and his bronze from way back in 2010.

After the finish there was a bit of controversy since Drew Windle was initially disqualified for pushing. At the indoor 800 m, with its tight bends and high pace a bit of contact is almost unavoidable, so reasonably enough he was reinstated again.

    Result:
 1  Adam Kszczot           POL   1:47.47
 2  Drew Windle            USA   1:47.99
 3  Saul Ordóñez           ESP   1:48.01
 4  Elliot Giles           GBR   1:48.22
 5  Álvaro de Arriba       ESP   1:48.51
 6  Mostafa Smaili         MAR   1:48.75

Emmanuel Korir may be the brightest talent at 800 m currently, and he gave yet another demonstration of his abilities. During the Millrose Games at New York he outpaced Donavan Brazier with a final lap in just over 26 seconds and finished in a sensational time of 1:44.21, the fastest indoor time for 18 years.

Korir's time means he is now third fastest on the all time indoor list. Only the legendary Wilson Kipketer and Yuriy Borzakovskiy have ever run faster. Korir also set a new African record, improving the previous record pf 1:44.52 which was held by Mohamed Aman since 2014.

Behind Korir American runners Brazier an Drew Windle set PB's as well. They are now ranked as number two and three on the US all time indoor list, with just Johnny Gray's long standing (1992!) 1:45.00 ahead of them.

    Result:
 1  Emmanuel Korir         KEN   1:44.21
 2  Donavan Brazier        USA   1:45.35
 3  Drew Windle            USA   1:45.53
 4  Kyle Langford          GBR   1:46.43
 5  Clayton Murphy         USA   1:46.61
 6  Jesse Garn             USA   1:47.58
 7  Sho Kawamoto           JPN   1:47.78
 8  Wesley Vázquez         PUR   1:47.80
 9  Casimir Loxsom         USA   1:50.54