Doha Worlds: Moraa to undergo late fitness test ahead of 400m heats

Philip Muchiri in Doha

A late fitness test awaits the national women’s 400m champion Mary Moraa who has a nagging knee injury.

Moraa who won silver at the World U18 Championship in Nairobi in 2017, is set to take part in the 400m heats on Monday evening as the 17th edition of IAAF World Athletics Championship enters day four here in Doha, Qatar.

“It is not that bad, but I can tell it might cause problems, I have had problems with this knee before,” Moraa told Citizen Digital.

Moraa earned her qualification to the championships when she finished second in her 400m semi-final in personal best 51.75 at the African Games in Rabat, Morocco when she finished second at the semi finals behind African champion Galefele Moroko from Botswana and managed a fourth place finish at the final.

“I still have today and tomorrow before the first race, so I want to relax wait and see how things will work out,” she added.

Also in the race is national record holder Hellen Syombua who sat out of training for more than a month ahead of the national trials after aggravating an injury during the Police National Championship.

“I have had so good performances all through the year, until when I got the injury that kept out for a few weeks, but I promise I will try my Best, that set back is behind my back,” Syombua told citizen Digital.

The race is set for 1820hrs.

In other races, three finals are lined back-to -back with Kenya aiming for a chance to increase its gold haul.

Kenya’s due of Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli and Jacob Krop will be the first in the field at 21:0hrs when the men’s 5,000m final take centre stage.  The two boast of registering a 12:57.90 and 13:14:44 personal best respectively and will battle Ethiopia trio of Selemon Barega (12:43.02) Muktar Edris and Telahun Haile Bekele (12:52.98) same as Kenyan born American Paul Chelimo.

Others with a sub 13 minute time in the race are Mohammed Ahmed of Canada and Bahranian Birhanu Balew.

Kenya’s first podium sweep hopefuls Celliphine Chepteek Chespol, World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and Hyvin Kiyeng will then take on the field in the 3,000m steeplechase final before the sole competitor in the women’s 800m final Eunice Sum take on a strong field in search of her second Worlds gold.

Today’s Diary (Kenya’s events)

1820hrs- 400m heats (Women)

2120hrs- 5000m finals (Men)

2150hrs – 3000m steeplechase final (Women)

2210hrs- 800m final (women)