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

Kenya’s Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, Sarah Moraa, and Kelvin Kimutai Koech have all qualified for the semi-finals of the 800m race after sailing through their heats at the World Under 20 Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru.

The trio were the first Kenyans on the track at the 7,500-capacity seater Estadio Atlético de la Videna in Peru’s Capital.

Reigning ISF World Schools Cross Country Championship Under 18 boys 5.1km champion Kipkosgei was the first Kenyan on track, and finished fourth in heat one, clocking 1:50.20.

Great Britain’s Henry Jonas (1:49.89), Canadian John O’Reilly (1:49.92) and Ayoub Elfakhar of Morocco finished in the top three automatic positions.

Despite the position, Kipkosgey qualified to compete in the semifinals as the fastest loser in all the heats, joining Mexican Amado Kalid Amador who timed 1:50.30.

Meanwhile, reigning Commonwealth Youth 800m champion Koech earned automatic qualification after finishing second in heat four behind Tunisian Mohamed Karim Amri.

Koech said that he really wanted to qualify for the semi-finals of the championships set for Thursday afternoon.

“I really wanted to make it to the semifinals, which was my target that I have now achieved,” Koech said. “I had to compete from the front because I saw my friend (Phanuel) miss out on the top three in his heat, so I had to work hard to earn it.”

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Koech clocked 1:49.28 behind heat winner Amri (1:49.21) as American Daniel Watcke was third in 1:49.86.

Later on in the women's 800m, Moraa, who narrowly missed out on a slot to the Paris Olympics, took the win in Heat Four, timing 2:05.11.

She will become the only Kenyan in the semis however, after Janet Jepkemoi finished last in Heat One clocking 2:15.94.

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