Speedy Korir cruises to African record in 1,500m semis

PHOTOT | ADRIAN DENIS Kenya’s David Korir leads Morocco’s Tarik Zalzouli during the men’s 1,500 metres round one, T13 category during the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Park in east London on September 2, 2012. Korir broke the African record in the race.

What you need to know:

  • Korir joins champion and captain Kirwa in Monday’s final where Kenya seeks a 1-2 finish
  • Although neither ran the fastest time, both recorded a personal best times
  • The T13 is a classification for the least visually impaired athletes

Young upstart David Korir broke the African Paralympic record on the way to qualifying for the 1,500m T12/T13 final at the London Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

Veteran Henry Kirwa, Kenya’s overall team captain, advanced as well.

David Korir broke the African T13 Paralympic record as he and Beijing T12 gold medallist Kirwa advanced to Tuesday night’s final.

Although neither ran the fastest time, run by Morocco’s El Amin Chentouf (T12) - 3:52.77, both recorded a personal best times.

The 28 year-old Korir won his heat with a 3:52.96 which broke the African T13 Paralympic record. The T13 is a classification for the least visually impaired athletes.

“The race was very good,” Korir said.

“I must thank God for giving me the energy and power to run well. I pray to God that I can win a medal in the final.”

With only 21 hundredths of a second behind the Chentouf, Korir may be thanking God for a gold medal on Tuesday.

But he’ll have tough competition from the 39-year-old captain Kirwa.

The skipper’s 3:55.35 time was fourth fastest among all competitors and he finished second in his heat.

On Monday, Kirwa will attempt to defend his 5,000m T12 title on a day Kenya looks forward to its first medals here.

In the same athletics session, sprinter Hanah Mwangi competed in the heats of the 400m T12.

However, she was disqualified for running outside of her lane.