Kenya’s Commonwealth Games champion, Mary Moraa, has successfully advanced to the women’s 800m semifinals following her impressive victory in the heats held on Wednesday morning in Budapest.
In the two-lap race, Moraa emerged as a standout performer, securing her spot in the next round. Unfortunately, her compatriots, Vivian Kiprotich and Naomi Korir, did not make it through.
Moraa, the world bronze medalist, clinched the top spot in the second heat with a time of 1:59.89. She was followed by Raevyn Rogers from the USA, who secured second place with a time of 2:00.06, and Ethiopia’s Worknesh Mesele, who finished third with a time of 2:00.13.
In heat one, Kiprotich recorded a time of 2:01.26, finishing fourth, while Korir ranked seventh in heat seven, clocking 2:01.41.
Notably, defending champion Athing Mu of the US also dominated her heat, posting a time of 1:59.59, marking her second race of the season. Additionally, former world champion Halimah Nakaayi from Uganda and world silver medalist Keely Hodgkinson from Great Britain secured victories in their respective heats.
The women’s 800m semi-finals are scheduled for Friday. The upcoming action includes the women’s 5000m and 3000m steeplechase heats, as well as the men’s 1500m final.
Following her remarkable gold medal win for Kenya in the championship, Faith Kipyegon will lead the trio of Commonwealth champion Beatrice Chebet, Lilian Kasait, and Margaret Chelimo in the women’s 5000m heats at 8:02 pm Kenyan time.
Kenya’s world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, Commonwealth champion Jackline Chepkoech, and world junior champion Faith Cherotich will compete in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at 8:53 pm.
The hopes for more medals in the men’s 1500m final lie with Abel Kipsang and world junior champion Reynold Cheruiyot, who will represent Kenya at 10:15 pm.
