Kenyan quartet of Brian Tinega, Mercy Adongo, Allan Kipyego and Mary Moraa Mixed Relay team results were disqualified as Kenya’s first team on the track in the opening day of World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, japan.
The four had qualified to compete at the finals after finishing second in Heat 2 in an African Record of 3:10.73 but their journey was cut short with World Athletics Rule TR17.23. (Use for a direct DQ for lane infringement, e.g., stepping over the line completely or multiple infringements on the line in the same race run in lanes)
South Africa’s time of 3:11.16 that was set less than a minute ago in Heat 1 was short lived when Tinega handed over the baton to Adongo then to Kipyego, who did well to close the gap and pass on to world 800m champion Moraa, who did not disappoint, leading Kenya to second behind Belgium, which crossed the line first in a season’s best of 3:10.37.
Consequently, Kipyego was judged for stepping over the line completely at the bend, leading to direct disqualification to see home team Japan earn a slot in tonight’s final as one of the best losers.
Kenya appealed the decision but was not successful