Commonwealth Games: Defending champion Kimanyal through to 800m final

Reigning champion Wycliffe Kinyamal is through to the men's 800 metres finals after finishing second in heat three of the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday afternoon.

Kinyamal had to dig dip to secure a spot in the finals in his heat which was won by Ben Pattison from England.

The English clocked 1:48.00 to emerge first ahead of Kimanyal who timed 1.48.15 to qualify for the final on Sunday.

Meanwhile, it was a poor show for other Kenyan athletes after Cornelius Tuwei and Julius Ngeny fell short in their quest to reach the final.

In heat two, Tuwei who was making his second appearance at the Games finished fourth to miss out on the two automatic qualification spots.

Despite leading at the bell in 51.73, Tuwei could not maintain his lead when he was passed with 600m to go as Peter Bol from Australia claimed the heat in 1:47.01.

In the first hit, Ngeny settled third after clocking 1:49.53 to exit the Games.

Jamie Webb from England clocked 1:48.86 to win the heat as Guy Learmonth of Scotland came second in 1:49.15 to secure the second automatic qualification spot.