Kenya’s hope of bagging more medals at the World Athletics Championships improved with Mary Moraa’s advancement to the women’s 800m semi-finals.

The Kisii Express, as the Commonwealth 800m champion is famously known, won heat two in 1:59.89, beating American Raevyn Rodgers, who finished in 2:00.06.

It looked like an easy run for the 2019 African U20 800m champion, who led from gun to tape and booked her place at the penultimate stage. With her performance, Kenyans are more hopeful of another gold after Faith Kipyegon lifted the first one for the country in the championships after her victory in the 1500m race on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

In-form Moraa

Moraa has enjoyed superb form this season and came to Budapest after impressive runs in the Diamond League Meeting in Rabat, Morocco, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Chorzow, Poland.

Meanwhile, Vivian Chebet failed to proceed to the semis after finishing fourth in heat 1. World silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson, who is seen as Moraa’s greatest threat in the race, defeated Chebet.

On another disappointing note, Naomi Korir could not join Moraa in the semis after she finished seventh in heat three.

Kipsang, Kipkorir vs Ingebrigtsen

Elsewhere, the country’s focus is on the 1500m final race, where Abel Kipsang and Reynold Kipkorir will battle it out with Norwegian superstar Jakob Ingebrightsen at 22:15 EAT.

Cheruiyot’s 2022 World Under-20 Championship win is expected to inspire him as he battles with Ingebrigtsen, who shattered the European record this year.

Ingebrigtsen, the reigning Olympic champion, won his previous heat in 3:34.98, while Cheruiyot clocked in at 3:35.53, grabbing the last qualification slot from the heat. 

On the other hand, Kipsang sailed to the final after finishing second in 3:32.72.

More Kenyans will be in action with Beatrice Chepkoech, the world record holder, and Jackline Chepkoech, who is a Commonwealth champion, battling for tickets to the final in the women’s 3000m race.

Beatrice will compete for the final ticket in heat one, while her compatriot will be in the last heat. The first five women will be handed tickets to the ultimate race set to be held on Sunday, August 27, 2023.