Vincent Kipyegon, Amos Kirui through to steeplechase final
Kenya's Vincent Kipyegon celebrates winning his 3,000m steeplechase semi-final heat at the World Under-20 Championships on July 21, 2016 at the Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland. AYUMBA AYODI |
What you need to know:
- It was a gun-to-tape performance for Kipyegon, who clocked 8 minutes and 37.20 seconds, beating Dessie Kidanemariam from Ethiopia to second place in a personal best of 8:30.52.
- The first semi-final saw some early exchange of leads with Kirui leading with three laps to go but Ethiopian Getnet Wale hit the front in the last lap to win in 8:43.92.
IN BYDGOSZCZ, POLAND
World Youth 3,000m steeplechase champion Vincent Kipyegon Thursday guided compatriot Amos Kirui qualifying for the men’s 3,000m steeplechase final at the ongoing World Under -20 championships at the Zawisza Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
It was a gun-to-tape performance for Kipyegon, who clocked 8 minutes and 37.20 seconds, beating Dessie Kidanemariam from Ethiopia to second place in a personal best of 8:30.52.
Ismail Ibrahim from Djibouti weathered a fall at the start of the race to finish third in 8:44.49 to also qualify in the second semi-final that produced nine qualifiers for Sunday’s final.
The first semi-final saw some early exchange of leads with Kirui leading with three laps to go but Ethiopian Getnet Wale hit the front in the last lap to win in 8:43.92.
Kirui, the Youth Olympics silver medallist and Africa Youth Olympics bronze medallist, settled second in 8:44.32.
“I was just testing my body and the response was great,” said Kipyegon. “What is remaining is on how to execute at the final. I am confident I will win God willing.”
“It was a great test. I am good at the barriers but will work on my speed on the stretch,” said Japan-based Kirui, who is representing Kenya for the third time.
