Bungei delivers at last to win 800m

BEIJING (Reuters) - Kenyan Wilfred Bungei finally claimed the major title his talent has promised for years when he won the Olympic 800 meters gold with a dominant front-running performance on Saturday.

The 28-year-old, ranked number one in the world six years ago, is still the fifth-fastest 800 runner of all time with his 2002 best of one minute, 42.34 seconds.

He took silver in the 2001 world championships but missed out on medals in two more worlds and the 2004 Olympics and had begun to earn a reputation as a big-race choker.

But his path to glory opened up in the semi-finals when defending champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy of Russia, 2004 silver medalist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and fancied Sudanese teenager Abubaker Kaki all failed to reach the final.

Bungei, sensing his chance, led the final pack through the first lap then cut for home at the bell.

Winding up his pace he opened a three-meter gap that proved just enough to hold off fast-finishing Ismail Ahmed Ismail of Sudan in a time of 1:44.65 seconds.

FINISHING FAST

Ismail took silver with another Kenyan, world champion Alfred Kirwa Yego, finishing fast to claim the bronze.

"I came here as an underdog. I had 1.45 compared to my competitors who had 1.42s," said Bungei.

"The only thing was to not panic at any time because if you panic definitely you will lose the race.

"When I look back at where I was in 2001 I never expected to be still running but I can say I'm happy I continued."

"They (the Kenyans) have made every right decision in that race for the last 10 years," said fourth-placed Canadian Gary Reed.

Asked about the election violence in his country this year, Bungei said: "There were so many killed in Kenya but in the end we at least have something to say.

"We have competed with pride as Kenyans."

(Editing by Ed Osmond)