OREGON22: Korir and Wanyonyi eye podium finishes in 800m

After failing to bag a medal in the past two World Athletics Championships, Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Korir feels time is right to end the search for a medal after sailing to the final.

Korir advanced to the final alongside Commonwealth champion Wycliffe Kinyamal as well as World U20 champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi on Friday morning.

Korir represented the country in the 2017 and 2019 editions of the global event held in London and Doha respectively but was unfortunate not to make to the podium despite trying his luck both in 800m and 400m races.

In the past two editions, the US based athlete sailed to the final once, as he was among the 400m finalists in Doha but his bid to collect a medal was unsuccessful. He reached the semis in the 800m race that was eventually won by Donavan Brazier of America.

During the London edition, the two-time Diamond League trophy winner did not sail past the heats in the two-lap race.

Korir who defied odds to clinch gold in the Tokyo Olympics is praying that he will replicate the same when he takes to the Hayward Field track on Saturday.

“The semis were tough but I am happy to be in the final. I am sure I will deliver something this time. I will do my best and get a medal for I have sacrificed a lot. I have failed in the previous two attempts but I believe I will be lucky this time,” he said shortly after the semis.

OREGON22: Kenyan trio of Korir, Wanyonyi and Kinyamal advance to the 800m final

Similarly, Wanyonyi is also angling at finishing inside the top three despite coming up against seasoned athletes. The 17-year old punched a ticket to the final as one of the fastest athletes outside the automatic qualification slots.

“I did not expect to be in the final considering that I was up against senior athletes. I also did not get my tactics right but I will try my best to win at least a medal in the final now that I have qualified,” he said.