Geoffrey Kiprotich and Edwin Ngeeti through to 400m semis
Edwin Ngeeti (left) and Geoffrey Kiprotich pose for phots after qualifying for the men's 400m semi-finals at the ongoing World Under-20 Championships at the Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland on July 20, 2016. PHOTO | AYUMBA AYODI |
What you need to know:
- Also to join Kiprotich in the men’s one lap semi-finals was Edwin Ngeeti.
- Ngeeti finished fourth in 47.11 in heat six won by Karabo Sibanda from Botswana but made it as one of the fastest losers.
IN BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND
Kenya’s Geoffrey Kiprotich on Wednesday advanced to the men’s 400m semi-finals at the ongoing World Under-20 Championships at Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Kiprotich clocked 46.23 seconds, which is a new personal best, to win his men’s 400m heat in the fastest time and qualify for the semi-finals.
Also to join Kiprotich in the men’s one lap semi-finals was Edwin Ngeeti.
Ngeeti finished fourth in 47.11 in heat six won by Karabo Sibanda from Botswana but made it as one of the fastest losers.
Kiprotich, who is competing in the one-lap race for the first time at the level, cruised superbly in lane four, beating Wilbert London III from USA to second in 47.23 as Moussa Ali Issa from Bahrain settled third in 47.39 for the last qualifying place in heat one.
“I am delighted on how I took off the blocks and the good and warm weather supplemented my effort,” said Kiprotich.
Kiprotich represented Kenya in 4x200m team at last year’s World Relays in Bahamas where the team was disqualified.
He also competed in 200m at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Eugene, failing to make the semi-finals. “I just want to break the semi-final jinx then see how the final goes,” said Kiprotich.
“The weather was good but I ran out of energy in the last 30 metres. I hope to improve in the semi-finals,” said Ngeeti, who reached the semi-finals of the 400m at the World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia last year.
