TOKYO 2020: Rotich, Saruni and Korir advance to 800m semis

World 800m bronze medalist Ferguson Rotich,former 600m indoor world record holder Michael Saruni and Africa 800m silver medalist Emmanuel Korir have all qualified to the Olympics semifinals after triumphing in round one.

The experienced Rotich was in a class of his own in heat one after clocking 1:43.75 to cross the line ahead of Peter Bol of Australia who timed 1:44.13 and Giles Elliot of Great Britain who finished at 1:44.49 to advance to the semis.

Saruni on the other had to contend with a second place finish behind 2022 games silver medalist over the distance and seasoned Botswana national Nijel Amos in a relatively slower heat four. 

The latter recorded 1:45.04 while Saruni who is making his debut in the games came in second at 1:45.21. Spanish Ben Adrian who led through the first lap secured qualification after finishing third in 1:45.30.

Korir, a World 400m finalist in the meantime, punched his way to the semis slated for Sunday after winning heat six and the last one. The United States based athlete clocked 1:45.33 to finish ahead of Borkowski Mateusz of Poland who placed second at 1:45.34.Hoppel Byrce of the United States completed the top three after timing 1:45.54.

The three Kenyan athletes who will be looking to retain the gold medal clinched by compatriot and record holder David Rudisha who won in Rio 2016 games will face tougher opponents in the semis among them is Marco Arop of Canada and Lopez Jesus of Mexico.The two tasted victory in heat two and five respectively.