TOKYO: Cheruiyot headlines Kenya's 1500m cast in Olympic semifinals

On-form 1500m World Champion Timothy Cheruiyot leads Abel Kipsang and Charles Simotwo in the quest to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics final set for Saturday at 2.40pm (EAT). 

Cheruiyot headlines the first semifinal, running alongside national trials winner Kenya Defence Forces’ Simotwo, where he will have Beljian national record holder Ismael Debjani who pipped him for first place in the heats. 

Pole Marcin Lewandowski, ranked third in the world, poses another threat to Kenyan duo. The 2019 World Championship bronze medalist manages to snatch medals at most major championships but does not have an Olympic medal yet. The 34-year-old clocked a 3:30.42 national record in Monaco to come to the Summer Gmaes in form to finally collect a medal. 

Ethiopian trials winner Teddese Lemi, who has improved to 3:31.90 this season. Briton Jake Wightman who joined the sub-3:30 club in Monaco last year, clocking 3:29.47 is also in the first semifinal. 

Kipsang will have a lonely race in the second semifinal where h will have among others Ethiopian medal prospect Samuel Tefera, the world indoor champion, who leads the Ethiopian squad. The 21-year-old arrived in Tokyo in the shape of his life after a 3:30.71 personal best in Monaco. 

Kipsang has his work cut out as he has reigning Olympics champion Matthew Centrowitz, Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen and 26-year-old Australian who lowered the Oceania record with his 3:29:51 run in Monaco Stewart McSweyn. 

The Olympics defending champion finished second to Kipsang in the second heat of the preliminary stage. In 2016, he controlled the tactical final almost from the gun and is back to defend his title. He has, however, not managed to run under 3.32 since 2018.