800M Winner Mary Moraa celebrate during Athletics Kenya Trials for World Championships and Commonwealth Games at The Moi International sports Center, Kasarani Stadium, June 25, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya’s hopes of winning a second gold medal at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA received a huge boost on Friday after Mary Moraa and Naomi Korir sailed through to the semi-finals of the women’s 800m race.

Moraa who managed sub-two minutes including her personal best of 1.57.45 seconds set at the Kenyan trials on June 24 came in second place in Heat 6 to automatically qualify for the semi-finals after timing 2:00.42.

The race was won by Jamaica’s Natoya Goule who clocked 2:00.06 while Poland’s Anna Wielgosz was in third place timing 2:00.79.

Moraa will however be hoping to build on her maiden Diamond League in 1:58.93 in Rabat on June 5 to motivate her to win the gold medal for Kenya.

On the other hand, Naomi Korir settled fifth in Heat 4 clocking 2:01.61 to advance as one of the non-automatic qualifiers.

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Josephine Nadangai (left) and Naomi Korir celebrate after winning 1st and 2nd positions respectively in the 1500M Women race during Athletics Kenya Track and Field Championships at Moi International Sports centre Kasarani. April 9, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

France’s Renelle Lamote won that Heat in 2:00.71 ahead of Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu (2:00.93) and USA’s Ajee Wilson (2:01.02) who were in second and third positions respectively.

Meanwhile, Jarinter Mawia bowed out after finishing fifth in heat one.

She clocked 2:02.35 in a race won by Ethiopia’s Diribe Weleteji who timed 1:58.83 ahead of Great Britain’s Jemma who timed 1:59.09.