The two boys carrying Kenya's hope for 800m Gold dabble into semis tonight

ATHLETICS: The two boys carrying Kenya's hope for 800m Gold dabble into semis tonight

Abigael Wafula 10:00 - 24.08.2023

The men's 800m semifinal race will begin at 9:50 p.m. East African Time.

Team Kenya’s hopes rest on Former World Under-20 champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Kipng’etich Ngeno to deliver in the 800m but the youngsters face tough opposition in the semi-final of the men’s 800m tonight at 9:50 p.m.

Wanyonyi and Ngeno made the cut to the semifinal after dominating their respective Heats to take top honours as defending champion Emmanuel Korir and Ferguson Rotich failed to live up to expectations by missing out on the semifinal slots.

Korir restored Kenya’s glory in the two-lap race during last year’s edition of the race and the Kenyan duo will have the weight on their shoulders to retain the glory.

Ngeno, competing in Heat Two, will face a stern test as he will be competing against some of the most experienced runners. Canada’s Marco Arop, a serial threat, will be in the Heat campaigning for a slot in the final.

Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati will also be in action in the same Heat with the hope of going one step better after finishing second during last year’s edition of the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Heat Three will see Wanyonyi headline the field and hopefully earn a slot in the final. He was in action during last year’s edition, his first time competing against the seniors, and managed a fourth-place finish.

This time around, he wants to go one place better and he has all it takes to achieve that dream. He will be up against Ireland’s Mark English, a potential threat to his chances.

Spain’s Adrian Ben, Italy’s Simone Barontini, and USA’s Bryce Hoppel will also be in action with the hope of stunning the Kenyan.

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