Jeruto, Wambui book slot in 800m, ‘Kisii Express’ shines in 400m

Kenyan 400m Mary Moraa wins heat 2 during IAAF World U18 Championships at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday 12/07/17.[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Pushed all the way by home fans, Mary ‘Kisii Express’ Moraa forced her way into today’s girls' 400m final at the ongoing IAAF World Under-18 Championships at Kasarani.

Moraa, a Form Two student at Mogonga Secondary School in Kisii County, dipped under 53.88 seconds yesterday, her new personal best, to finish second behind Barbora Malikova of Czech Republic, who won in 53.77.

It was, however, disappointment for the other Kenyan, Sharon Jebet, who finished in fifth place to miss out on the finals in heat one. Doneisha Anderson of Bahamas was the race winner in this event, clocking 54.37 seconds.

In the corresponding boys’ semi-final, the homeboys found the going tough as Kelvin Sawe (47.55), running in heat one, finished in third position to miss out on the final. Colby Jennings of Turks and Caicos Islands won the race in 47.36 seconds. Ethiopian Melkamu Assefa (47.43) got the better of the Kenyan with a second place finish.

David Sanayek also missed out on the finals, finishing fourth in a time of 47.66 seconds. Antony Cox of Jamaica, the race winner, clocked 46.86 seconds. Namibia’s Ivan Danny Geldenhuys (47.24) was third.

In other events, Lydia Jeruto and Jackline Wambui stormed into today’s 800m semis following their comfortable victories in the heats in the morning events.

Jeruto, a Class Seven pupil at Poror Primary School in Baringo County, timed 2:10.37 to win the race ahead of Chaimae Ismaili of Morocco, who registered 2:13.15 in the second place. Romania’s Andreea-Raissa Hojda (2:14.42) was third.

Wambui clocked 2:08.24 to win the third heat, beating Ethiopian Hirut Meshesha (2:09.74) with Klara Lukan (2:11.66) of Slovakia finishing a distant third.

“I didn’t want to use up a lot of energy. It was an easy qualification for me. I expect to display the same form in the semis, with the main focus being the final on Sunday,” Jeruto said.

In the boys' 800m semi-finals, Ethiopian Tolesa Bodena (1:49.37) won heat two with Kenyan Japheth Kibiwott Toroitich clocking 1:50.03, just fast enough to qualify for tomorrow’s final. Moroccan Abdellah Mouzib was third in 1:50.03.

In heat one, Noah Kiprono lost the much-needed kick in the final 20 metres to finish fourth in 1:51.72, qualifying as the fastest loser.

“We will require team work at the final in order to at least win a medal on Saturday,” said Kibiwott, A student at St Patricks’ High school, Iten.

In the boys' 400m hurdles, homeboys registered mixed results, with team captain David Saruni getting disqualified despite winning the race. He was guilty of lane infringement.

Moitalel Mpoke clocked a new personal best of 52.40 in second place.