BERLIN, August 19 – Three Kenyans won their heats as the 800 metres quartet easily made the semifinals of the 800 metres on a sunny morning in day six of the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
Africa champion David Rudisha, reigning world champion Alfred Kirwa Yego and former World junior silver medallist Jackson Kivuva won their heats respectively Olympic 1500 metres silver medallist Asbel Kiprop was second in his heat.
Running in heat five, Kirwa stayed infront throughout the race before applying a finishing kick to finish in 1:48.32.
“I am very happy with my start. We have been waiting and finally I have run. My body is feeling good and hopefully by tomorrow everything will be even better,” said Kirwa.
Next up was the pride of Africa Rudisha who easily covered the ground in the final 400 metres to win in1:47.83. It was his debut at the championships and he was elated especially after missing out on Beijing.
“I am happy we have started well and I hope we are going to get even better. The semifinals will tell as exactly where we stand,” said Rudisha.
The third Kenyan to win his heat was Kivuva. Running a very smart race, the Armed Forces stayed at the shoulder of the through until the last 150 metres when he shifted through the gears to easily clinch victory in a time of 1:46.17.
Looking ahead to the semifinals, the trio stated that it will pose the greatest challenge yet.
“The semifinals will be very tough. Tomorrow will resemble a final. Being there in the final will be a privilege and one will have to work extremely hard just to be in the final eight,” said Kirwa.
The semis are always very tough because only 1-2 automatically for the final in so its going to be tough because qualifying as a fastest loser depends on luck so you have to ensure you are there,” said Rudisha.
For Kivuva it will be all about tactics.
“Semifinals will not be a joke. It will be a proper competition but I am confident I will make it. I just have to run smart because the races are so tactical. Mohammed Saad has been locked out despite the fact that he is fourth in the world this year so its very tricky you have to think. It will all depend with the pace. If it’s slow or fast then you know what to do,” said Kivuva.
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