TOKYO 2020: Kipyegon through to the 1500m final

Defending champion Faith Kipyegon will face a familiar foe in Sifan Hassan in her quest to retain her Olympics 1500m title on Friday at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. The two were peerless in the semifinals held at the same venue on Wednesday afternoon, comfortably winning their respective heats to qualify for the final.

Kipyegon who claimed gold in the 2016 Games held in Rio de Janerio, Brazil trotted home in 3:56.80, the fastest qualifier in the first semi ahead of Gebreezibeher Freyewni of Ethiopia.  Stafford Gabriela of Canada was third after timing 3:58.28 while Hull Jessica and Tanaka Nozomi advanced after forcing their names in the top five bracket.

The World silver medalist will however be a lone ranger in the final after her compatriot and African champion Winny Chebet finished eighth.

The latter was tripped inside the third lap and couldn’t catch with the rest who hit the top gear after the bell went.

Similarly, the 2017 World U-18 bronze medalist Edinah Jebitok will watch the final from the stands after finishing last in heat two. The youngster who is making her debut in the Games made her way to the semis after the team Kenya officials appealed after she was tripped in the first round.

The final promises to be a tight one as Hassan who has a gold medal against her name after winning the 5000m race dethroned Kipyegon during the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

Hassan running in her trademark style of seating back only to unleash a might kick in the final lap clocked 4:00.23.

She was trailed by Muir Laura of the Great Britain and Australian Hall Linden as well as Ugandan Winnie Nanyondo.