Nijel Amos

Nijel Amos

Amos at Mannheim Competition 2012
Personal information
Nationality	Botswana
Born	15 March 1994 Marobela
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 ^1⁄2 in)
Weight	60 kg (130 lb)
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 Marrakech 800 m 2014 Marrakech 4x400 m relay 2016 Durban 800 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

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 Nshakazhogwe 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 4x400 m relay team finished 5th in the finals.^[9] Amos was the flag bearer for Botswana during the Parade of Nations.^[10]

See also

• Botswana at the 2012 Summer Olympics

References

1. All-Athletics. "Profile of Nijel Amos".
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. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
9. "Rio 2016". Rio 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-25.
10. "The Flagbearers for the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony". 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-08-25.

External links

• Nijel Amos profile at IAAF