This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
Published on October 3, 2019, by James Onyango Mwamba.
Kenya's 2017 London World silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot and Rodgers Kwemoi made a strong impression at the Doha World Championships, advancing to the 1500m semi-finals on Thursday.
Cheruiyot, who won heat two in 3:36.82, was joined by Kwemoi, who sneaked through as one of the fastest six losers after finishing seventh in heat three in 3:36.66.
However, their teammates George Manangoi and Kumari Taki failed to make it to the semi-finals, finishing 10th and ninth respectively in their heats.
Manangoi finished 10th in 3:38.39 in heat one, while Taki was ninth in 3:37.98 in heat two.
Cheruiyot expressed his satisfaction with making it to the semi-finals, saying, 'My target in the race was to be in the semi-finals, and I have achieved it. Focus now shifts to the semi-finals where again we will seek to reach the final.'
He also acknowledged the absence of his training partner and reigning world champion Elijah Manang'oi, who was injured.
Kwemoi, on the other hand, blamed the poor finish on the pushing and shoving among the athletes in the last 200m of the race.
