World champ Sum only hope for Kenya in 800m final
Eunice Jepkoech Sum wins the first semi-final of the women's 800m athletics event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 31, 2014. PHOTO | ANDREJ ISAKOVIC | AFP
What you need to know:
- A tactical Sum hit the front to win in 2:01.38 but her mentor and 2007 Osaka World champion Janeth Jepksogei’s dream of recapturing the title went up in smoke after finishing seventh in 2:04.60 in the second semi-final.
World 800m champion Eunice Sum set the stage for her second major title within one year when she waded through the socked Hampden Park track to win her semi-final heat.
A tactical Sum hit the front to win in 2:01.38 but her mentor and 2007 Osaka World champion Janeth Jepksogei’s dream of recapturing the title went up in smoke after finishing seventh in 2:04.60 in the second semi-final.
Jessica Judd from England powered to victory in 2:02.26 to set up a explosive final battle with Sum, 26, on Friday. Sum will be seeking to win her second major in less than a year after she won the World title in Moscow last August.
“It wasn’t easy but I just had to run my race and I feel great to reach the final,” said Sum. “I just want to be on the podium and that will be a great achievement for me irrespective of the colour of the medal.”
Despite not reaching the final, Jepkosgei, who won the 800m title at the 2006 Melbourne Games, said she wasn’t disappointed even though Glasgow Games marked her last Commonwealth appearance. “I'm feeling well from last night after contracting a flu,” said the 31-year-old Jepkosgei. "I have achieved a lot and it’s time I just celebrate what I have done.”
