TOKYO:
Olympic champions Religion Kipyegon (1,500 metres) and Hamish Kerr (excessive bounce) headline day 4 of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Tuesday when 4 finals, two monitor and two area, can be held.
AFP Sport takes a take a look at three of probably the most eye-catching occasions:
Males’s 800m heats
This has the potential to be the race of the championships. Even the 13-year-old world document of 1min 40.91sec set by Kenyan David Rudisha in probably the most iconic moments within the sport within the 2012 Olympic ultimate in London may very well be below menace.
The favorite in Tokyo is Rudisha’s compatriot Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the Olympic champion.
Simply 21, he has been the shape runner this season though he got here near dropping within the Diamond League finals late final month.
The previous cattle herder, who’s eager to set issues proper after taking silver within the worlds two years in the past, has impressed Rudisha on the very least.
“Rudisha is my buddy,” mentioned Wanyonyi final month.
“I bear in mind the final time I noticed him he informed me, ‘Now’s your time to shine’.”
Having the stamp of approval of a legend is one factor however out on the monitor risks lurk throughout him.
Each the minor medallists from the Paris Video games may have him firmly of their sights.
Canada’s Sudan-born defending champion Marco Arop took silver within the Olympic ultimate and though he has solely overwhelmed the Kenyan as soon as this season the 26-year-old says he isn’t intimidated by that.
“It is nice competing in opposition to him as a result of I do really feel he makes me a greater athlete general,” he informed CBC.
Each Wanyonyi and Arop have had a loaded marketing campaign, one thing which Paris bronze medallist Djamel Sedjati hopes will play in his favour.
The 26-year-old Algerian has raced simply 5 instances this season and, having gained silver within the 2022 worlds, is searching for to go one higher and emulate compatriot Djabir Stated Guerni’s victory within the 2003 worlds.
Outdoors of them two Individuals catch the attention, the 2019 champion Donavan Brazier, who has had a number of irritating years riddled with harm however gained on the trials.
At 28, Brazier is 12 years older than teammate Cooper Lutkenhaus.
When he takes to the monitor on Tuesday Lutkenhaus can be 16 years 8 months and 28 days outdated, the youngest American athlete ever to compete on the worlds, and is phlegmatic about what lies forward.
“I do not assume I’ve any stress or outdoors noise on me, I am strolling out of the stadium with my head held excessive.”
Males’s excessive bounce ultimate
Excessive jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh has raised morale again in Ukraine by means of her achievements since Russia invaded the nation in February, 2022, and Oleh Doroshchuk can ship one other increase.
The 24-year-old, who regardless of the continued warfare has remained coaching in Ukraine, goes into Tuesday’s ultimate with a pep in his step after topping qualifying.
He says he’s feeling “higher day-to-day” after struggling accidents to each his legs through the season.
He’s in a wealthy vein of kind, profitable on the Diamond League meet in Brussels and ending second to New Zealander Kerr within the Diamond League finals.
“That (qualifying) was the primary main championships after I was not nervous, so I loved the competitors and the environment round me,” mentioned Doroshchukh.
Ladies’s 1,500m ultimate
This ought to be an all Kenyan affair and a conflict of generations between the legendary 31-year-old Kipyegon and Nelly Chepchirchir, 22.
Barely anybody has received a glance within the 1500m in world championships over the previous decade with Kipyegon round.
Three Olympic titles, 4 world crowns (together with one within the 5,000m) and the world document holder in addition, it should take fairly one thing to cease her.
Chepchirchir, who completed fifth within the 2023 world ultimate, has loved a profitable season which buoyed her hopes of upsetting her compatriot in Tuesday’s ultimate.
“I’ve some expertise from Budapest. That is the large distinction,” she mentioned.
“Additionally I turned way more assured after I gained the Diamond League ultimate (in Zurich final month).”
