Budapest 23: Hope for more medals as Kenyans line up in two finals on Saturday

Kenya is likely to harvest more medals in the ongoing World Athletics Championships on Saturday evening as the men’s 800m and women’s 5000m finals go down at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.

Record holder Faith Kipyegon will be chasing her second gold medal when she lines up in the 5000m final that promises fireworks as the field is rich in quality.

The Olympic champion defended her 1500m title three days ago, clocking 3:54.87 to win the race ahead of Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji, who took silver in 3:55.69. Sifan Hassan settled for bronze after finishing third in 3:56.00.

Kipyegon, oozed confidence in the 5000m semifinals held on Wednesday night despite lining up barely a day after racing in the arduous three and half laps final.

The 29-year old will enjoy the company of the of reigning silver medalist Beatrice Chebet, the 2019 world silver medalist Margaret Kipkemboi and 2019 Africa Games bronze medalist Lilian Kasait.

The three successfully sailed to the final on Wednesday and will hope to make the defy the odds and make to the podium.

Budapest 23: Moraa takes control of semis to ease into 800m final

It will not be a walk in the park for the four Kenyan girls as defending champion Tsegay Gudaf of Ethiopia will look to retain her title as well as seal double glory in the championships.

Gudaf, mined gold in day one of the championships after prevailing in the 10000m race in which Ethiopian athletes swept all the three medals.

Ejgayehu Taye who finished third in the 10000m race will also be aiming to upset the Kenyan girls.

There is a possibility of Kenya landing a medal before the quartet line up for the 5000m final as youngster Emmanuel Wanyonyi will race in the 800m final.

The world U20 champion will be the sole Kenyan in the race as his compatriot Alex Ngeno failed to make it in the semis.

Budapest 23: Wanyonyi dominates semis to book sole Kenyan ticket to 800m final

Outgoing champion Emmanuel Korir and Olympic silver medalist Ferguson Rotich, shockingly fell off in the preliminary round.

Wanyonyi finished fourth in the past edition in Oregon last year.

Wanyonyi’s year started with a gold medal for Kenya in the mixed relay at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst.