WU20: Chepkosgei, Chebet kiss championships goodbye in 800m

Kenya's wait for World Athletics U20 Championships gold medal will continue after the duo of Sheila Chepkosgei and Brenda Chebet failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 800m at Kasarani Stadium. 

Chepkosgei timed a personal best of 2:02.60 to win the race which she set the pace from onset to the line fending off stiff competition from Ayal Dagnachew of Ethiopia who had a better time than her before the gun went off.

However, she was sadly disqualified for lane infringement leaving the Ethiopian to carry the day at a personal best of 2:02.94. Elli Eftychia finished second after clocking 2:05.38 while Zita Urban of Hungary was third on 2:07.39.

Chebet who was racing in heat three pressed the gas pedal in the first lap only to fade off when the bell rang and would finish a disappointing seventh on 2:12.16.

Avery Pearson of Canada had her tactics pay off as she accelerated past Chebet inside the 300m mark of the final lap and maintained the pace to the line to advance to the semis. She timed 2:07.99 while Valentina Rosamilia of Switzerland was second on 2:08.89. Lorena Rangely of Mexico came in third on 2:09.86.

Chebet regretted that tendon pains cost her a place in the semis and the opportunity to carry the hopes of the country in mining gold for the first time since 2014 when former Olympics 800m bronze medalist Margaret Nyairera won in Eugene, U.S. 

"I felt strong at the start of the race even though I struggled with some tendon pain and that made it impossible to kick in the final stretch. I am disappointed but I will bounce back in my next championship. This was my first time to represent Kenya and it was a good experience just to have a feel of what to expect in a world event," she lamented.