Chepng'etich, Chebet ease into 1500m semis
Netherlands' Sifan Hassan (second right) crosses the finish line ahead of Kenya's Faith Kipyegon (second left) and USA's Nikki Hiltz (centre) to win the Women's 1500m heats at the 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships at the Khalifa International stadium in Doha on October 2, 2019. PHOTO | GIUSEPPE CACACE |
What you need to know:
- Chepng'etich finished second in Heat One in 4:03.93 behind World 10,000m gold medallist Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands in 4:03.88
IN DOHA
Defending champion Faith Chepng'etich Kipyegon eased into the semi-finals of the women's 1500m at the World Championships here on Wednesday.
Kenya's African champion Winnie Chebet also sailed through to the semi-finals of the metric-mile event.
Chepng'etich finished second in Heat One in 4:03.93 behind World 10,000m gold medallist Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands in 4:03.88, while Chebet also finished second behind Morocco's Rababe Arafi in Heat Two.
Chebet clocked 4:08.36 to make it to the semis against Arafi's 4:08.32.
The semi-final races will be held today from 11pm.
Chepng'etich was happy with the good start to her title defence.
"I am happy to have come back from maternity leave in good form. My heat was a quick one. As you know Sifan (Hassan) has been strong this season and I anticipate a tough race in the semi-finals," the reigning world champion said.
American Jenny Simpson (4:07.27) won the third heat to progress to the semi-finals alongside Canada's Gabriela Dubues-Stafford (4:07.28).
The first six athletes from each heat qualified for Thursday's semi-final races alongside the fastest six athletes from the heats.
