This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
At the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Kenya's medal hopes rest on Ferguson Rotich, the sole Kenyan to have qualified for the men's 800m final.
Rotich, who finished second in his semi-final heat on Sunday with a time of 1:44.20, will face stiff competition from top athletes, including Wesley Vazquez from Puerto Rico and Abubaker Abdalla from Qatar.
Rotich, competing in his fourth championship, is aware of the challenge ahead and is confident in his abilities, having faced similar circumstances in Diamond League races.
"I know I am the only Kenyan in the final but this will be my fourth championship and so I am up to the task ahead. I know most of my opponents from the Diamond League series and hopefully, that should make a difference," Rotich said on Monday.
Rotich won the national trials in August at Nyayo National Stadium with a time of 1:42.54 seconds and will face off against top athletes, including 2015 bronze medallist Amel Tuka from Bosnia and American Donavan Brazier.
