NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 27 – World Record holder Beatrice Chepkoech led compatriots Hyvin Kiyeng and Celiphine Chespol into the final of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase at IAAF World Championships after all qualified from the preliminaries on Friday night with Chepkoech and Kiyeng winning their heats.
Only Fancy Cherono fell by the wayside after she finished fourth in her heat won by Kiyeng, her time of 9:32.34 not enough to take her through as one of the top six fourth-placed finishers.
Chepkoech who has been in sizzling form this season to win the much coveted Diamond Trophy did not show any struggle as she won the second heat in a time of 9:18.01, the fastest qualifying time.
She stuck to her front running antics from gun to tape, choosing to control the race instead of waiting for an attacking time in the latter stages.
She was stalked for most of the race by London 2017 silver medalist Courtney Frerichs but managed to maintain her lead.
The American finished second to also go through to the final in a time of 9:18.42.
The experienced Kiyeng, champion of the 2015 edition in Beijing, China also progressed winner of her heat after clocking 9:29.15 to gulp forward in the final 20 metres ahead of Kenyan turned Bahraini Winfred Mutile who finished second in a time of 9:29.40.
Meanwhile, World Under-20 and Under-18 double champion Chespol managed to finish within automatic qualification slots after crossing the line third in the opening heat of the evening in a time of 9:24.22.
The heat was won by Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai who timed 9:21.98 with defending champion Emma Coburn finishing second in 9:23.40.