World Championships: Nakaayi advances to 800m Semifinals, eyes redemption

Halima Nakaayi breathed a sigh of relief after securing a spot in the women’s 800m semifinals as the fastest loser at the Japan National Stadium on Thursday night.

The 2019 world champion executed a tactically sound start to her heat, but faltered in the closing stages as her rivals surged past her at the finish line. Despite finishing fourth, the fast pace of the heat ensured her progression to the next round.

“I’m so happy I was able to go through,” Nakaayi said. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow to see what God enables me to do.”

She acknowledged making a few technical errors and plans to use the time before her semifinal to make adjustments.

“I slightly messed up, but I thank God I’ve advanced. I’ll go back and revise where I made mistakes,” she added.

Nakaayi will face stiff competition in her semifinal, lining up against Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma and Kenya’s Lilian Odira. She’ll need to deliver a top-two finish, or at the very least, another fastest-loser qualification, to keep her medal hopes alive.

Men’s 5000m: Kiprop and Kibet step in for injured Chelimo

In the men’s 5000m, Keneth Kiprop and Harbert Kibet will carry Uganda’s hopes after Oscar Chelimo withdrew due to injury. Chelimo, who dazzled in Oregon, has struggled with fitness since and the 10,000m proved too demanding.

Kiprop and Kibet now have the opportunity to step up and secure a place in the final, as Uganda continues its quest for track success in Tokyo.

World Athletics Championships

Women’s 800m Heat 5

Results

Lilian Odira KEN 1:57.86

Daily Cooper Gaspar CUB 1:58.16

Worknesh Mesele ETH 1:58.46

Halimah Nakaayi UGA 1:58.57

Friday schedule

Men’s 5000m

Heat 1

Kenneth Kiprop 14:00

Heat 2

Herbert Kibet 14:19

Women's 800m Semi Final

Halima Nakaayi 2:43pm