Tokyo Olympics: Disappointment as Several Kenyan Stars Bow out Of Track Event After Low Finishes

Rene Otinga

updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:50 PM

Three Kenyans failed to make it past their first race on the track on Friday, July 30
Abraham Kibiwott and Benjamin Kigen went through to the 3000m steeplechase final after finishing in the top three positions
In the women’s 800, only Mary Moraa made it to the semi-finals after a third-place finish in Heat 3

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The track and field events in the Tokyo Olympics kicked off on Friday, July 30 but Team Kenya once again failed to get a good start in the various heats.

Tokyo Olympics: Disappointment as Several Kenyan Stars Bow out Of Track Event After Low Finishes — Emily Cherotich Tuei of Team Kenya competes during round one of the Women's 800m heats on day seven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 30 Photo by Patrick Smith
Source: Getty Images

There was heavy anticipation from Kenyan fans, especially in the 3000m steeplechase and the women’s 800m heats.

But it was far from straightforward for Team Kenya, as three of them failed to make it past their first race.

Men's 3000m steeplechase

In the 3000m steeplechase, Benjamin Kigen and Abraham Kibiwott safely went through to the finals but Leonard Bett was not so lucky in Heat 3.

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Kigen emerged 3rd in Heat 1 which was won by Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma, while Abraham KiBiwott won his race in Heat 2 to advance to the finals, while Bett’s time of 8:19.62 meant he was slower than all six other losers across the three heats.

Kibiwott won his race without much problems with a time of 8:12.25, and was followed by Getnet Wale of Ethiopia who came in second in 8:12.55. Italy’s Ahmed Abdelwahed came in third in 8:12.71.

Women’s 800m

In the women’s aces, Mary Moraa was the only Kenyan to book a slot in the semi finals.

Eunice Sum, the 2013 World Champion was the first to crash out in her two-lap race after finishing in sixth position in heat two, clocking 2:03.00. in a race which was comfortably won by Natoya Goule of Jamaica.

In heat 6, Emily Cherotich Tuei bowed out after finishing last on a time of 2:08.08.

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TUKO.co.ke has since established that Tuei picked up an injury in the first lap, making it difficult for her to keep up with the rest of the pack.

Kenya’s hopes in the women’s 800m now lie with Moraa, who finished third in Heat 3 in a race which was won by Raevyn Rogers of USA who clocked 2:01.42.