Kenya's reigning African champion, David Rudisha, lowered his own world record in the men's 800 metres for the second time in a week to 1 minute 41.01 seconds at the IAAF World Challenge meet in Rieti, Italy today.
The 21-year-old, who broke the record that had stood for 13 years when he ran 1:41.09 at the ISTAF in Berlin last Sunday, shaved off eight-hundredths of a second of the previous mark that stood for just one week. He thus became the only track athlete to break a world record twice this season.
Rudisha was taken through the bell by pace-maker Sammy Tangui of Kenya in 48.20 seconds before taking off on his own to win ahead of compatriot Boaz Kiplagat Lalang (1:42.95).
American Nick Symmonds was third in 1:43.76 and Michael Rimmer of Britain took fourth in a personal best 1:43.89.
Afterwards Rudisha said: "I just knew I was in good shape. The conditions were perfect. I expected to break two records in seven days.
"I want to return to training for next year because 2011 will be a World Championships record."
"I have always received a very warm welcome in Rieti. I love this track and the Rieti crowd who have always given their support. This record is for them," Rudisha added.
Last year, Rudisha stole the show at the Rieti meet after breaking the African record for 800m in 1:42.01 which improved the long-standing continental record of 1:42.28 held by Sammy Koskei since August 1984.
Kenyan Sylvia Kibet took the women's 3000 metres in 8:39.08 ahead of compatriot and reigning World Junior 3000m champion Mercy Cherono who set a personal best time of 8:42.09 while Pauline Korikwang settled for third in 8:43.67.
Ethiopian Tariku Bekele again lowered his world 3000m season's lead from 7:28.99 set in Berlin last week to 7:28.70 ahead of American Bernard Lagat, who set a new American record dipping under 7:30 for the first time in 7:29.00. Kenya's Edwin Soi was third in 7:29.75.
See complete Results below: