TOKYO 2020: Chepkoech, Kiyeng cruise to 3000m steeplechase final

World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech has labored to advance to the Olympics 3000m steeplechase after finishing third in the semifinals at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo Japan. 

The world champion employed her trademark style of running, surging forward from the gun but slumped to the pack after two laps. 

The Commonwealth 1500m silver medalist appeared to save energies for the final had to fend off the stiff competition in the final fifty meters from Ethiopian Wondemagegn Zerfe who threatened to muscle her out of the third automatic spot.

She clocked 9:19.82 behind Germany's Krause Gesa who clocked 9:19.62.American Frerichs Courtney timed 9:19.34 to win the race. 

While Chepkoech finished third in the second heat, the experienced Hyvin Kiyeng cruised to victory in the third heat and consequently, booked a place in the final set for Wednesday. 

The former champion who is has been on fire recently crossed the line at 9:23.17 ahead of Mismas Marusa of Slovenia who timed 9:23.36. Abebe Mekides of Ethiopia was third on 9:23.95.

Kenya's hopes of a clean sweep in the final however suffered a blow after former Commonwealth champion Purity Kirui finished fifth in the first heat clinched by Kenyan born Bahraini Yavi Mutile.

Kirui will rue her decision to stay behind as Ugandan Peruth Chemutai pulled a massive gap within the first two laps and subsequently attracted the attention of Yavi and former World champion Emma Coburn who sprinted away from the pack in a bid to catch with her and ended up sealing the top three slots. 

The humid conditions in Tokyo did not do Kirui any favor as she struggled to close in the gap settling for a fifth place finish at 9:30.13.

Yavi who doubles up as Asian games champion times 9:10.80 while Chemutai finished second on a season best of 9:12.72. American Coburn clocked 9:16.91.