Budapest 23: Easy pickings for Kipyegon, Chepchirchir as Cheruiyot misses out on 1500m final

Kenya will have two representatives in both the 1500m men’s and women’s finals after the quartet of Faith Kipyegon, Nelly Chepchirchir, Reynold Kipkorir and Abel Kipsang finished in the top six brackets in their respective semi final heats on Sunday evening.

Only two casualties fell out on the day, most notably being 2019 World Champion and Olympic Games silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot, and 2017 World Under-18 bronze medalist Edinah Jebitok.

Women’s Heats.

National trials champion Chepchirchir dominated the first heat with a winning time of 4:02.14 to gain an automatic qualification ahead of Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom and Ciara Mageean of Ireland, making it back to back wins in her heats.

The World Under-20 Championships bronze medalist posted a quick enough time of 4:00.87 to win Heat 3 of Saturday’s race, but on Sunday saw her compatriot Jebitok miss out as she struggled to stay with the leading pack, eventually finishing tenth and in a time of 4:05.41.

Budapest 23: History as Omanyala secures spot in 100m final

World record holder over the distance - Kipyegon, was once again on her best as she cruised to a routine win in the second heat in a time of 3:55.14, earning a qualification spot alongside her rivals Diribe Welteji (Ethiopia) and Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) after they came in second and third positions respectively.

Hassan’s time, even after a nasty fall on Saturday’s 10000m finals, was a season best for her this time, and will attempt to shake off Kipyegon in Tuesday’s final that starts at 2231 EAT.

Budapest 23: Stars set to collide at every corner in 1500m race

Men's Heats.

There was double delight for Kenya’s Kipsang and Kipkorir as they also got a place in the finals, all finishing in the top six positions albeit their leader Cheruiyot clocking 3:37.40 in a ninth place finish in Heat 2.

Kipsang, a world indoor bronze medalist, had different fortunes, as he came in second in Heat 1 timing 3:32.72.

Only American star Yared Nuguse was quicker, with Kipkorir, last year’s World U20 champion, placing sixth in Heat 2 to book a place in Wednesday night’s final.

Favorite Jakob Ingebrigtsen will also feature, with Mohamed Katir missing out.