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See you at the finals, says Kipkirui, Nyaboke and Kibet at Lima championships

Three 1,500m athletes for the World Athletics Under 20 Championships have qualified to compete at the finals following their dominance in the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon.

Africa Under 18 1,500m gold medalist Josphat Kipkirui, Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka and Miriam Chemutai Kibet will be flying the Kenyan flag here at the Estadio Atlético de la Videna in Lima, Peru.

Kipkirui will be the sole runner for the nation, trying to retain the title last won by Kenyan Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot during the 2022 World under championships in Cali Colombia.

It was a bad day for Collins Koech Kibiwott who managed to finish 6th to miss the top five who made an automatic cut to the finals.

Competing in heat one, Kipkirui won in 3:44.62 followed by South African Johannes Morepe (3:45.10) and Norwegian Hakon Moe Berg (3:45.40). Other qualifiers in heat one were Serbian Aldin Catovic who ran his personal best of 3:45.66 and American Trent Mcfarland at 3:47.17.

“My work here is done. Wait for the results at the final,” said Kipkirui.

Kibiwott, who was the race favourite did noit make the cut when he was 6th in heat 2 at 3:45.15. The heat was won  by Spaniard Alex Pintado (3:44.62), followed by Ethiopian Abdisa Fayisa (3:44.83), Great Britain’s George Cuttie (3:44.84), American Carter Cutting (3:44.95) and the final slot going to New Zealand’s James Mcleay (3:45.12).

In women, Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka and Miriam Chemutai Kibet all made the cut to the finals.

Nyaboke managed second position to qualify when she crossed the finish line at 4:21.72 in heat 2 behind Ethiopian Saron Berhe (4:18.88) with American Dylan Mcelhinney (4:21.74).

The Form One student at Keberesi secondary school will be joined by Chemutai, who was 5th in heat one that was won by Great Britain’s Ava Lloid (4:21.53) with Ethiopian Tsige Teshome (4:21.92) coing second and Switzerland’s Shirin Kerber completing the podium at 4:22.21.

On Thursday, Kenyans will be on track in search of other qualifying rounds.

Mercy Chepkemoi, after missing a 5,000m medal, she will be up in the 3,000m semifinals. Chepkemoi, a form three student at the Tiloa Secondary School in Nakuru County said that she will be redeeming her image when she lines up in the second race.

Chepkemoi holds the East Africa under 20 1,500m gold medal and bronze in the 5,000m at the same event last year.

She will be competing in heat while her counterpart Marion Jepngetich will be in heat two with top eight in each heat will automatically qualify for finals. The heats will be held at 1:00pm Lima time and 9:00pm Kenya time.

Africa 800m champion Sarah Moraa will follow in the afternoon in the 800m semifinals. Moraa will be the only Kenyan in heat 3 after Janet Jepkemoi missed the cut. Moraa will be lining up at 3:58pm Lima time and 23:58am Kenya time.

In the two lap race for the men, Kelvin Kimutai Koech will lead heat one with Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech in heat three at 4:20pm Lima time and 12:20am Kenya time.

Tomorrow’s fixtures (Kenya Time)

21:00hours- 3,000m women semifinals- Mercy Chepkemoi and Marion Jepngetich

2355 hours- 800m women semifinals- Sarah Moraa

00:20 hours- 800m men semifinals- Kelvin Kimutai Koech and Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech

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