Moraa cruises to 800m semis

Commonwealth Games champion Mary Moraa has sailed through into the women’s 800m semis after earning victory in the heats held Wednesday morning in Budapest.

Moraa will be a lone ranger in the two-lap race after the elimination of compatriots Vivian Kiprotich and Naomi Korir.

The world bronze medallist won the second heat in 1:59.89 ahead of Raevyn Rogers of USA who finished second in 2:00.06 with Ethiopia’s Worknesh Mesele clocking 2:00.13 to place third.

Kiprotich timed 2:01.26 to finish fourth in heat one while Korir ranked seventh in heat seven after clocking 2:01.41

Defending champion Athing Mu of the US reigned supreme in her heat where she timed 1:59.59 in what was her second race of the season.

Former world champion Halimah Nakaayi (1:59.68) of Uganda and world silver medalist Keely Hodgkinson (1:59.53) of Great Britain also secured victories in their respective heats.

The women’s 800m semi-final will be held on Friday.

More action is expected tonight with the women’s 5000m and 3000m steeplechase heats and the men’s 1500m final.

After bagging Kenya’s first gold medal at the championship, Faith Kipyegon will lead the trio of Commonwealth champion Beatrice Chebet, Lilian Kasait and Margaret Chelimo in the women’s 5000m heats at 8.02 pm Kenyan time.

World record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, Commonwealth champion Jackline Chepkoech and world junior champion Faith Cherotich will be in action in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at 8.53pm.

Kenya will be hoping to bag more medals in the men’s 1500m final with Abel Kipsang and world junior champion Reynold Cheruiyot flying the Kenyan flag at 10.15pm.