Techno-savvy Rudisha in touch

Technology enthusiast: 2010 World Athlete of The Year and World 800m record holder David Rudisha gets in touch with his fans after training at the Moi international Sports Centre, Kasarani on August 11, 2011. Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN

He’s the world’s best athlete, having earned global recognition from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) at last year’s awards annual gala in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

And David Rudisha has maintained contact with his fans throughout the world, thanks to his love for modern technology and latest trends in communications.

Rudisha was on Thursday a relaxed man at the national team’s Kasarani camp for the World Championships in Athletics at which he will be gunning for his first world title, the world record in the two-lap race comfortably tucked under his belt.

Caught up with friends

Rudisha, armed with the latest mobile phones, ipad and Macbook, took time off his hectic training schedule yesterday to catch up with his friends on Facebook and follow the world - and be followed on Twitter.

Kenya tops the men’s 800m scorecard at the World Championships since the inaugural event in 1983, and Rudisha will be under pressure to bag the gold coming into the championships in Daegu, South Korea, as the world’s finest athlete.

Kenya sits pretty at the top with four gold medals – by Billy Konchellah (1987 and 1991), Paul Ruto (1993) and Alfred Yego Kirwa (2007).

Kenyan-turned-Dane Wilson Kipketer pulled a fast one on Kenyans, sneaking away with gold medals in 1997, 1999 and 2001 Worlds before South Africa’s Mbulaeni Mulaudzi ran away with the 2009 Berlin World Championships victory.

Rudisha has fired a warning shot on his rivals to brace for a tough battle.

Leading the 800m line up comprising world silver medallist Alfred Kirwa Yego and Africa bronze medallist Jackson Kivuva, superstar Rudisha has huge dreams for Kenya at the global conquest.

The trio will board the plane to Daegu, South Korea, on July 22 with their heads held high after posting brilliant performances at the international scene since last season.

Rudisha, who holds the 1:41.01 all-time best, will lead the Kenyan assault in the chase to recapture the two-lap race title.

He expects the global championships to be a re-enactment of last year’s Africa Senior Championships, where he led Kirwa and Kivuva to an impressive 1-2-3 podium sweep at Nyayo.