World Champs U20: Josphat Kipkirui leads Kenyan contingent into 1500m finals

Kenya’s trio of Josphat Kipkirui, Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka and Miriam Chemutai Kibet on Wednesday qualified to the finals of the 1500m after dominating their respective heats at the Estadio Atletico de la Videna in Lima, Peru.

Africa Under 18 gold medalist Kipkirui took the win in Heat One clocking 3:44.62, and will be the only Kenyan representative in the men’s final, where he will be hoping to retain the title won by Kenyan Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot in Cali in 2022.

The Youth Commonwealth Games gold medalist was followed by South African Johannes Morepe (3:45.10) and Norwegian Hakon Moe Berg (3:45.40).

Other qualifiers in heat one were Serbian Aldin Catovic, who ran his personal best of 3:45.66, and American Trent Mcfarland at 3:47.17.

It was a bad day however for Collins Koech Kibiwott, who finished sixth in Heat 2, and missed an automatic cut to the finals.

The Kenyan clocked 3:45.15 in the heat won by Spaniard Alex Pintado (3:44.62), followed by Ethiopian Abdisa Fayisa (3:44.83) and Great Britain’s George Cuttie (3:44.84).

In the women’s races, Nyaboke (4:21.72) finished only behind Ethiopian Saron Berhe (4:18.88) to make it into the 1500m final, where she will be joined by compatriot Chemutai, who was fifth in heat one that was won by Great Britain’s Ava Lloid (4:21.53).

Kenyan duo Serem, Kipkosgei through to 3,000m steeplechase final

What to expect on Thursday

Mercy Chepkemoi will headline the day’s action as she seeks to make amends after missing out on a 5000m medal this week.

The form three student at Tiloa Secondary School in Nakuru will line up in the women’s 3000m semifinals that will gun off at 2100 EAT.

She will be joined by her counterpart Marion Jepngetich, who will be in heat two.

World Champs U20: Kimutai, Moraa, Koech book 800m semis slots in Lima

All top eight finishers will book an automatic slot into the finals.

Elsewhere in the 800m event, African champion Sarah Moraa will be the only Kenyan in Heat 3 of the women’s semifinals, with her race set to begin at 2358 EAT.

In the two lap race for the men, Kelvin Kimutai Koech will lead Heat one, with Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech in Heat three at 0020 EAT.