Nijel Amos

Nijel Amos
Amos at Mannheim Competition 2012
Personal information
Nationality Botswana
Born (1994-03-15) 15 March 1994
Marobela
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 1⁄2 in)
Weight 60 kg (132 lb)
Website nijelamos.com
Sport
Sport Track and field
Event(s) 400 metres, 800 metres
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s) 200 metres: 21.34 [1]
400 metres: 45.56[1]
800 metres: 1:41.73[1] WJR
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Botswana
Olympic Games
2012 London 800 m
Commonwealth Games
2014 Glasgow 800 m
Universiade
2013 Kazan 800 m
All-Africa Games
2015 Brazzaville 800 m
African Championships
2014 Marrakech800 m
2014 Marrakech4x400 m relay
2016 Durban800 m
2018 Asaba800 m
World Junior Championships
2012 Barcelona 800 m
African Junior Championships
2011 Gaborone 800 m
Commonwealth Youth Games
2011 Douglas 800 m
Representing Africa
Continental Cup
2014 Marrakech 800 m
2018 Ostrava800 m

Nijel Carlos Amilfitano Amos (born 15 March 1994) is a Botswana middle-distance runner who specializes in the 800 metres discipline. He won silver at the 2012 Summer Olympics, which was Botswana's first ever Olympic medal.

Early life

Nijel Amos is from Marobela Village in the North Eastern part of Botswana. He went to Shangano Community Junior Secondary School (2007–2009) in Nshakashongwe and Tutume McConnell Community College (2010–2011).

Running career

At the 2011 African Junior Athletics Championships, Amos ran a Botswana Junior Record time of 1:47.28. Further improving on his record, Amos finished fifth in the 800 metres at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics.[2] In 2012 he improved his National Senior Record to 1:43.11 during a race in Mannheim. He became champion at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Athletics, finishing in a new championship record of 1:43.79. In the 2012 Summer Olympics, Amos won a silver medal in the men's 800 m race, the first Olympic medal for his country.[3] His time of 1:41.73 established a new World Junior Record behind the new World Record set by David Rudisha and is tied with Sebastian Coe for the third fastest individual ever.[4]

After an injury-filled 2013 season, Amos returned to form in 2014. At the 2014 Prefontaine Classic, Amos set a meet record and world-leading time of 1:43.63.[5] At the Herculis IAAF Diamond League, he again set a meet record and world leading mark of 1:42.45.[6] Beating Rudisha for the 2nd time on the season, his performance was the fastest 800m race since the men's 800 m race. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Amos won the 800 meter Gold medal in 1:45.18. In the tactical affair, Amos maneuvered out of a box to pass World Record holder David Rudisha in the last 50 meters.[7]

At the 2016 Summer Olympics, Amos competed in the 800 m and the 4x400 relay. He finished 7th in his heat for the 800 m and did not qualify for the semifinals.[8] The Botswana 4 × 400 m relay team finished 5th in the finals.[9] Amos was the flag bearer for Botswana during the Parade of Nations.[10]

He finished 5th in the 800m at the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 All-Athletics. "Profile of Nijel Amos".
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  3. ↑ "Nijel Amos of Botswana wins silver, Timothy Kitum of Kenya wins bronze in men's 800-meter race – london2012.com". Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "800 Metres – men – senior – outdoor – iaaf.org". iaaf.org. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "Surprise, Nijel Amos steals away with the Prefontaine Classic 800 meters". OregonLive.com. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  6. ↑ Mike Rowbottom. "Kiplagat and Amos are surprise packages in Monaco Diamond League meeting". insidethegames.biz – Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games News. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "David Rudisha is beaten by Nijel Amos in 800m final at Commonwealth Games as Hampden Park witnesses shock". Telegraph.co.uk. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  8. ↑ "Rio 2016". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  9. ↑ "Rio 2016". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
  10. ↑ "The Flagbearers for the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony". 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
Records
Preceded by
Abubaker Kaki Khamis		 Men's World Junior Record Holder, 800 metres
9 August 2012 – present		 Incumbent
Olympic Games
Preceded by
Amantle Montsho		 Flagbearer for  Botswana
Rio de Janeiro 2016		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
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