Cheruiyot and Abel Kipsang to defend 1500m title on Wednesday after booking a slot in the finals

Silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot, of Kenya, poses on the podium during he medal ceremony for the men's 1,500-meters at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Tokyo. AP Photo

World champion Timothy Cheruiyot will battle to defend his 1500m crown on Wednesday after booking a slot in the finals of the heated race at the ongoing 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States.

Cheruiyot finished fourth in his heat where he clocked 3:37.04 behind winner Josh Kerr (3:36.92), Mario Garcia (3:37.01) and Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen (3:37.02).