Kenyan quartet in steeplechase final, Rutto through

Kenyan quartet in steeplechase final, Rutto through

Rain, cold and drama characterised the Day 6 of the IAAF World Championships in London during the women’s 3000m steeplechase and the men’s 5000m heats.
Rio silver medalist and defending World champion Hyivn Kiyeng started off the first Kenyan track event alongside Commonwealth Games champion Purity Kirui in the women’s 3000m steeplechase heats.
Kiyeng comfortably secured a place in Friday’s final after clocking 9:39.89 behind Gesa Felicitas Krause (9:39.86) of Germany.
Lady luck smiled on her compatriot, Kirui (9:40.53) who booked the third automatic place after  third finisher Colleen Quigley of America was disqualified for stepping out of the track.
Their teammates Beatrice Chepkoech (9: 19.03) and World Junior champion Celliphine Chepteek Chespol (9:27.35) will also be in the hunt for the coveted title hoping to emulate Olympic and now World Champion Conseslus Kipruto who bagged a gold medal on Tuesday night.
Their conterparts in the men 5000m, had a rough evening with only one athlete – Cyrus Rutto – making it for Saturday’s final in a time of 13:22.45.
It was unfortunate for former All-Africa Games silver medalist Josphat Menjo who was tripped by Rio silver medalist Paul Chelimo of America as he fell off a dramatic second heat.
Chelimo recovered and moved back to the chasing pack to qualify as the fastest looser in 13:24.88 . The experienced Menjo (13:35.68) finished 16th.
It was a disappointing performance from the Commonwealth Youth Games Champion Davis Kiplangat in his debut at the senior level after stopping the timer 14:52.98 to leave him 19th place.
On Thursday, Rio Olympics silver medalist Hellen Obiri (World leader 14 :18.37) will lead All-Africa Games Champion Magaret Chelimo Kipkemboi and  Africa Champion Sheila Chepkirui in the first track competition of the seventh day in the women’s 5,000m heats at 8:30pm.
Meanwhile, in the field event, Olympics silver medalist and World Champion Julius Yego will start on  his quest to title defence in the men javelin throw qualification A at 9:05pm.
Rio Olympics bronze medalist Margaret Nyairera, former World Champion Eunice Sum and Africa bronze medalist Emily Cherotich Tuei will be seeking to book their slots for semi-finals during the heats on Thursday.
Beijing Olympics and three-time World champion Asbel Kiprop will also be in action at 10:25pm alongside his teammates World silver medalist Elijah Managoi who has a WL time of 3:28.80.
Africa Championships silver and bronze medalist  Timothy Cheruiyot and Ronald Kwemoi will join the duo in the 1500m heats later in the evening.
Thursday, August 10
8:30pm  W  5000m Heats
9:05pm   M Javelin Throw  Qualification Group A
9:35pm  W 800m Heats
10:25pm  M 1500m  Heats

Tags:

IAAF World Athletics Championships Hyvin Kiyeng Steeplechase Cyrus Rutto London 2017

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