Wanyonyi, Kinyamal storm Paris Games 800m semis

World silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi held off a hard-charging field to punch a ticket into the semi-finals of the men’s 800m at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday.

Wanyonyi timed 1:44.64 to win heat three, beating Italy’s Catalin Tecuceanu and Sweden's Andreas Kramer who came in second and third in 1:44.80 and 1:44.93 respectively.

The youngster was at ease in the first lap and then held off Italy's Catalin Tecuceanu (1:44.80) through the second half of the race as he blazed down the stretch for victory.

“The track was perfect and everything was in place. I decided to stay in front so as to control the pace of the race. The focus now shifts to semis which I know will be very tough,” said Wanyonyi, who turned 20 a few days ago.

Two-time Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal scraped through after finishing third in heat 5 with a time of 1:45.86.

“I did my kick very early but that was my plan to test my body ahead of the semis, it was intentional.

“There is pressure on us to ensure that this 800m title remains in Kenya. We will push ourselves for the gold,” said Kinyamal.

The other Kenya’s representative Koitatoi Kidali finished fifth in heat two to miss out on the automatic qualification slots and will wait until Thursday to rumble again in the repechage.