TeamKenya went off quite pleased today as 800m sensation Emmanuel Korir proceeded to the finals after finishing second with a time of 1:44:74 (Semi-final 1). The 26 year old will also be joined by Ferguson Rotich. Having the sixth fastest time this year, Rotich went on to clinch victory in 1:44.04 beating his closest rival Amel Tuka of Bosnia by close to a second.
Rotich and Korir will now compete in the final set for Wednesday as they seek to defend the title won by David Rudisha half a decade ago in Rio, Brazil. In the 100m semifinals, Kenyan Sprinter, Ferdinand Omanyala broke the national record but still came short of qualifying for the finals. Omanyala finished 3rd beating Yohan Blake of Jamaica and setting a new record at 10.00.
USA’s Fred Kerley won the heat in 9.96, but Omanyala was separated by Canada’s Andre de Grasse in the second position by a photo finish. The Canadian clocked 9.98. Mary Moraa also came in close after finishing 3rd in the women's 800m semi final 1. The Kenyan failed to qualify after falling behind Jamaican Natoya Goule and Britton Jemma Reekie who both clocked a time of 1:59:77. Moraa's time of 2:00:47 meant she was automatically out from proceeding to the finals set for Wednesday.
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