Day one of the National Trials for the Tokyo Olympic Games has witnessed drama and plenty of action including a national 100m record.
The 800m final however poses to be one of the most anticipated event on saturday with four world beaters battling out for the ticket to Tokyo.
United States-based Emmanuel Korir,Michael Saruni, Ferguson Rotich and Wycliff Kimanyal will be battling out for a place in TeaM Kenya at the Moi International Sports Kasarani.
Korir and Saruni won their respective semi final heats and will battle out with Rotich, a World 800m bronze medalist, and Kimanyal who was also impressive on Thursday.
During the 2019 World Championships in Doha Qatar, Korir reached the men’s 400m final finishing sixth overall. He aims at earning a spot in the 800m having already attained the 400m qualification time.
“I will once again take a shot at the two races at the Olympics now that no one has qualified in 400m apart from me,” said Korir
“We have a strong field but I hope to prevail.”
Saruni on the other hand is confident of making it to the squad having ‘saved enough energy’ for the Saturday final.
Saruni jogged to the finish line in 1:44.96 beating Elias Ngeny to second place in 1:45.25, the second fastest in the semi-finals as Nicholas Kiplagat came in third in 1:45.31.
“I am more than ready and looking forward to a great final,” said Saruni.