Ferguson Rotich sails into 800m final

IN DOHA

Kenya's lone representative in men's 800 metres final, Ferguson Rotich, has singled out front-running Wesley Vazquez from Puerto Rico and Qatar's Abubaker Abdalla as the biggest obstacles when he lines up in the final on Tuesday.

Rotich, who timed 1 minute,44.20 seconds to finish second in Sunday's first semi-final heat of the two-lap race behind winner Vazquez (1:43.96) from Puerto Rico, said the two athletes set a very fast pace in their semi-final heat, compelling him to change tack.

"The race was very tough race, but I had a strategy. We were in the same heat with strong opponents and I know them from the Diamond League where they posted very quick times. I knew Vazquez and Abdalla like to be in front and to run fast, so I was mentally prepared and that should be the case in the final," Rotich, who won at the national trials in August at Nyayo National Stadium, said.

Rotich, who is competing in his fourth championship, said he is not worried about being the only Kenyan in Tuesday's final.

"It will be difficult being the only Kenyan in the final, but it does not worry me. This will be my fourth championship and I am up to the task," he said.

Rotich said championship races require a different strategy, adding that he has competed in Diamond League races where he was the only Kenyan in the field. He has urged Kenyans in Qatar to run out in large numbers to lend him support in the race.

Kenya's Ngeno Kipngetich and Emmanuel Korir did not qualify for the final. Korir, who finished second in the national trials, timed 1:45.19 on Sunday to finish third in the second heat won by America's Donavan Brazier (1:44.87), followed by Canada's Marco Arop (1:45.07).

Ngeno (1:46.61) finished sixth in the third semi-final heat to forfeit a place in the final. His semi-final heat was won by Bosnia's Amel Tuka (1:45.63), followed by America's Bryce Hoppel (1:45.95) to qualify for the final.

Ngeno blamed his poor performance in the race on poor tactical approach that saw him set a quick pace in the first lap, only to fizzle out in the second lap.

"I ran very fast in the first lap and the second proved too tough. In future, I will correct this," he said.

The US-based Korir said he had taken key lessons from his loss.

"I experienced challenges in the race, but I appreciate the result. This season has been very tough as I have struggled with a lot of challenges. I can't complain too much though," he said.

America's Clayton Murphy who timed 1:44.48, and Spain's Adrian Ben (1:44.97).