M. KisengeWU20: Kithome, Kipngetich qualify for 400m hurdles semis
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 19.08.21. | 10:14
The duo will hope to make it to the final after booking a semi-final ticket.
The Kenyan duo of Peter Kithome and Alocias Kipengetich have advanced to the World Athletics U20 Championships 400m hurdles semifinals after successfully clearing the Round One at the Kasarani Stadium.
Kithome who was head and shoulders above everyone in the trials carried the fine form into the race finishing second to book a place in the semis.
Kipengetich who had the slowest time in heat one on the other hand clocked a personal best of 51. 41 to advance to the semis after finishing third.
Things were going smoothly for Ezekiel Nathaniel up until the moment where he hit the 7th hurdle and lost his rhythm. Finishing in 5th place with a PB of 51.6s, he would have to wait to see if that gets him to the next round.#WAU20Nairobi21 #WorldAthleticsU20 #worldathletics pic.twitter.com/IMYIi3jGIW
— Track Revelation (@Trackrevelatn) August 19, 2021
Kipengetich who draws inspiration from the late World Champion Nicholas Bett said he amassed massive experience from rubbing shoulders with the rest of the hurdlers and was looking forward to the semis.
"The experience was good but I did not react well off the blocks and I was chasing the race from the onset. All the same, I ran my personal best and qualified for the semi-final and that has me elated," said the form three student that trains in Kapsabet under coach Janeth Jepkosgei.
He finished behind Ian Matic of Slovenia who was second on 51.27 and Roshan Clarke of Jamaica who won the race at 50.93.
The Jamaican said he had hid his best game and reserved energy for the final where he intends to scoop gold.
"I shut it down early due to the heat but in the final, you'll see a different me, I will go flat out for gold," said Shawn.
Meanwhile, Kithome who jogged to the line behind Denis Noveseltsev said he was impressed with his performance even though he admitted he had not polished the art of towering over the hurdles well.
Women's 400m hurdles heats:
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) August 19, 2021
Denmark's Martha Rasmussen disqualified for trailing leg clearance. #WAU20Nairobi21 #WorldAthleticsU20 https://t.co/WFh0zfI6Jl
The diminutive runner noted that after confirming his place in the semis with less than fifty metres to the line, he opted to slow down in a bid to save energy for the last two races and eventually make it to the podium.
"It wasn't tough. I was going for a semis slot and even in the semi, I will strive to finish first or second. I have a challenge in training and I am yet to master the tactic of the hurdle and catching on a rhythm. I am slowing down coming into the hurdle and that takes a few seconds off my time. If I can get it right then I will make it this discipline," said the Dennis Muthusi-coached 400m runner turned hurdler
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