Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich cruised into the 800 metres final with the fastest run of the semi-final on Sunday, setting himself up as a strong contender to succeed compatriot David Rudisha as the new king of the event.
Double Olympic gold medallist Rudisha’s persistent injuries denied him the chance to defend his title, opening the way for a new champion to emerge.
Rotich, the 2019 world bronze medallist, clocked 1:44.04 and was so confident as he approached the end of his race that he looked behind to encourage those trailing him to keep up as he crossed the line.
In the second semi, Australia’s Peter Bol came from behind to push through to the final with a personal best of 1:44.11. The United States’ Clayton Murphy, Olympic bronze medallist five years ago in Rio, came second, enough for a place in the final.
There was drama in the heats as Botswana’s 2012 Olympic silver medallist Nijel Amos got tangled up and fell to finish last. However, upon appeal, Amos was considered and will run in Wednesday’s final.
In the first semi, another Kenyan, Emmanuel Korir, who came to Japan boasting this year’s second-fastest run, also went through.
The African silver medalist said he feels no pressure to replicate Rudisha’s feat but is confident in his — and Rotich’s — pedigree to fly the country’s flag high.
“I know these guys. I have trained with them and they are very tough runners. There is no pressure. Even if there was any pressure, there is nothing much you can do about it. It is your training that determines how you perform. We will continue to do our best in the next round to bring home the top prize,” Korir said.
He timed 1:44.74 to finish second behind Polish Patryk Dobek ( 1:44.60 ) and ahead of Mexican Jesus Tonatiu Lopez ( 1:44.77 ) in third.
Following his qualification for the final of the two-lap race, the American-based runner will not compete in the men’s 400m as had earlier planned.
Korir said the decision is to allow him to solely focus on the 800m final without any distractions.
The first two from each heat proceed to the final and the next two fastest also advance to the medal round.
