2017 IAAF World Championships: Kenyans Kipyegon Bett, Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich, Emmanuel Korir into men's 800m semi finals

• Kipyegon Bett clocked 1.45.76 to win the 1st 800m
• Botswana’s Nijel Amos also moved into the men's 800m semi finals
• Kenyans Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich, Emmanuel Korir also into the men's 800m semi finals

It remains to be seen if Kenya will retain the men’s 800m title in London on Tuesday night.

Yesterday, the three Kenyans – world junior champion Kipyegon Bett, US-based Emmanuel Korir and 2016 IAAF Diamond League Trophy winner Ferguson Rotich – eased into today’s semi-final set for 11:15pm and a lot await them as they continue the journey to defend David Rudisha’s title against strong opposition.

Bett set the ball rolling for Kenyans, winning heat one in 1:45.76 ahead of Adreas Kramer (1:45.98) of Sweden and Drew Windle (1:46.08) of USA.

It’s no doubt that Bett inspired his elder sister Purity Cherotich, the Commonwealth Games 3, 000m steeplechase champion, who will line up in round one  of the 3,000m steeplechase on Wednesday.

“The target was just to relax and kick it on in the last 200m. The conditions were not so good. It was rainy but I am used to it also where I train. I train in the main stadium of Kericho with Ferguson Rotich. My aim is to be in the final. And I am only going for the gold,” said the runner, who attended Kiptere Secondary School in Kericho County.

Rotich, a perennial fourth-place finisher in major championships, laid bare his intention to shrug off the outside-medal-bracket tag as he won heat three in 1:45.77. Isaiah Harris (1:45.82) of USA and homeboy Elliot Giles (1:45.86) followed.

“From the start I just had my eyes on making the semi-final. Winning was not important. To be in the 1-2-3 was important. David (Rudisha) is a big miss from these championships but it is still special,” Rotich said.

Korir, a student in the United States, proved his world-leading time of 1:43.10 was no fluke. He chalked up victory in heat four in 1:47.08 ahead of Michal Rozmys (1:47.09) of Poland and Brazil’s Thiago Andre (1:47.22). He trains under 1988 Olympic 800m champion Paul Ereng in USA.

“I knew I could keep my position, so I didn’t worry. I was just staying relaxed for the next round. My time today was okay. I am very proud to represent my country on this stage for the first time,” Korir said.

Botwana’s 2012 Olympic silver medalist, Nijel Amos, who is back after injury, topped heat five in 1:47.10, ahead of French Pierre-Ambroise Bosse (1:47.25) and Adam Kszczot (1:47.50) of Poland.

In 400m heats, Africa bronze medalist Boniface Mweresa will line up in the semis at 9:40pm. Collins Omae and Raymond Kibet failed to glide into semis as did Mark Otieno in the 100m heats on Friday night.