Budapest 23: Wanyonyi dominates semis to book sole Kenyan ticket to 800m final

2021 World U20 champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi will be the only Kenyan in the men’s 800m final in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary after breezing to a 1:43.83 victory in Heat Three of Thursday night’s semifinals at the National Athletics Centre.

The 19-year-old was quick off the gun and took his place at the front of the group, easily strolling through the motions to take the win ahead of Adrian Ben of Spain who clocked 1:43.92.

Kenya’s other participant in the semifinal heats Alex Ngeno however didn’t make it to the finals after finishing last in his heat (Heat Two), timing 1:45.56.

The former World U20 silver medalist looked to be in close contention in the first lap of the race won by Canadian and 2022 World Championships bronze medalist Marco Arop, but was unable to keep up with the leading pack, seeing his World Championships journey that had seen him dominate the preliminary rounds come to an end.

Budapest 23: Krop, Kipkurui sneak into 5000m final as Kemboi and Kimeli miss out

Notable names in Saturday’s finals will include; Algerian Slimane Moula - winner of Heat Two in 1:43.93, the aforementioned Arop who breezed to clock 1:44.02 and Djamel Sedjati, who finished second in Heat Two timing 1:44.49.

A chance for Wanyonyi to better his 2022 World Championships fourth place will gun off at 2130 EAT.