Andrew Wheating’s first summer on the professional circuit couldn’t have had a better ending.

Bouncing back from a subpar finish in Stockholm,  Wheating left nothing to chance in his 800 meter race in London.  The key to Wheating’s strong finish was due in part to mixing up his racing tactics.  From the gun, he was aggressive and attentive, running this race from the front and middle of the pack.

Assuming the rabbitting duties, Khadevis Robinson led Abubacker Kaki and a strung out pack through the first lap in 49.2.  Wheating passed 400 meters in 4th place with Nick Symmonds on his heals.  At 600 meters passed in 1:16, Kaki only lead Wheating by a meter or two.  Down the homestretch, Kaki was able to maintain his slim advantage to the line but never completely pulled away from Wheating.  Kaki took the win in 1:44.38 with Wheating following closely in a new personal best 1:44.54.  Symmonds completed a 2-3 finish for the US in 1:45.28.

It’s one thing to run fast times, but it’s another thing to go after and challenge for the win.  Wheating appears to be ready to run with and challenge the best in the world.