Joseph Deng breaks 50 year old Australian 800m record in Monaco
Joseph Deng has created history by breaking the long standing Australian 800m record with a sensational 1.44.21 at the Herculis Diamond League meet in Monaco.
The time which, was also a new Oceania record, took 0.19s off the record which has stood for 50 years, first set by Ralph Doubell in 1968 at the Mexico City Olympic Games and then equalled by Alex Rowe in Monaco in 2014.
“It’s a great feeling. My target coming into the race wasn’t the record, it was just to run fast.” said Deng.
At just 20 years of age, Deng, coached by Justin Rinaldi, has had a stellar season and the performance was his fourth time under 1.45 this year, the most ever by an Australian.
Deng and training partner Peter Bol had made it known that the record was in their sights this season and have had several attempts this season.
Deng placed seventh in the extremely fast race as two others ahead set national records.
POS ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
1 Nijel AMOS BOT BOT 1:42.14 World Lead
2 Brandon MCBRIDE CAN CAN 1:43.20
3 Saúl ORDÓÑEZ ESP ESP 1:43.65
4 Cornelius TUWEI KEN KEN 1:43.82
5 Jonathan KITILIT KEN KEN 1:43.91
6 Pierre-Ambroise BOSSE FRA FRA 1:44.20
7 Joseph DENG AUS AUS 1:44.21 (NEW AUSTRALIAN RECORD)
8 Marcin LEWANDOWSKI POL POL 1:44.32
9 Peter BOL AUS AUS 1:46.64
10 Alfred KIPKETER KEN KEN 1:48.68
11 Drew WINDLE USA USA 1:50.44
Harun ABDA USA USA DNF
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