WU20: Olympics reject Kamar Etyang' lays down the marker in men's 1500m

Kenya has a high possibility of retaining the World Athletics U20 Championships 1500m title after the electric duo of Kamar Etiang and Vincent Keter have booked a place in the final slated for Saturday. 

Shortly after the rains subsided, action returned to the track where Keter oozed class, fending off competition from Melkeneh Azize Ethiopia to make to the final.

Keter ran neck to neck with Azize only to unleash a mighty kick in the last lap and accelerated clear of the Ethiopian to cross the line first.

The athlete drawn from Rongai Athletics Club clocked 3:42.38 while Azize timed 3:44.81.Abderezak Suleman of Eritrea was third after clocking 3:47.81.

Keter said he the focus turns to partnering with Etiang to deliver gold in the final after successfully clearing the first hurdle. 

He said he did not strain to win the heat despite the threat from the Ethiopian.

 "I knew today all I needed was qualification and I did not push myself. The real battle is in the final where the tactics and experience come into play. Going by the heats where we ran on an extremely wet track my body responded well. We would have done faster times but that is not important now. We have to defend this title on home soil and I am going for nothing short of gold,"he said.

In the second heat, the highly rated Kamar Etiang consoled himself from the missed chance to fly the Kenyan flag in the Olympics after coasting to victory while under pressure from Wegene Addisu of Ethiopia. 

The towering athlete missed the trip to Tokyo for failing to meet the required tests but made a statement of intend in the junior championships after appearing comfortable throughout the race. 

He clocked 3:44.75 while Addisu of Ethiopia came second on 3:44.86 with Pol Oriach of Spain was third after crossing the line at 3:49.32.

"Nothing can distract me now. I know all the Kenyans are watching me after the setback I got during the Olympics but now my focus is fully on this race. We already have a game plan for the final and all Kenya's should watch out for fireworks," he said. 

I saw what my fellow countryman Keter did in the first heat and I was motivated to make sure I made the cut. It is our responsibility to make sure we register impressive results in the final" added Etyang'