Africa 800m silver medallist Lilian Odira, former world under 20 800m silver medallist Alexander Ngeno Kiprotich and former world under 20 800m bronze medallist Noah Kibet have qualified to compete at the finals of the ongoing World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China.
The 2014 Olympic Games finalists finished second in heat one to make it to the semi-finals set for the weekend.
She clocked 2:04.46 behind Portuguese Patricia Silva who won in 2:04.44 as Ethiopian Habitam Alem was third, progressing at 2:04.48.
Another Kenyan Vivian Chebet Kiprotich, an Olympic finalists failed to make the cut after finishing 4th in heat 2 at 2:05.11 as her season best.
The heat was on by Ethiopian Tsige Duguma (2:04.52) ahead of Switzerland’s Audrey Werro (2:04.91) and Spaniard Lorea Ibarzabal completing the podium at 2:05.10.
Returning into the championships for the second time, Kibet, the winner of a bronze medal winner at the 2021 World Indoor championships in Belgrade finished second in heat 2 at 1:48.31 behind American Josh Hoey (1:48.14) and Italian Giovanni Lazzaro completing the podium in 1:48.75.
Kiprotich also managed second position in heat 5 to make it to the semifinals after crossing the finish line in 1:48.17 with Czech Republic’s Jakub Dudycha winning at 1:48.04 and Poland Patryk Sieradzki completing the podium in 1:48.20.
It was disappointing for former 800m champion Collins Kipruto who failed to make the cut when he finished 5th in heat 2 at 1:50.08, won by Ugandan Tom Dragdriga (1:49.09) followed by Algeria’s Heithem Chenitef (1:49.16) and Spaniard Elvin Josue Canales in 1:49.44.