Steeplechaser Peruth Chemutai and middle-distance pair of Winnie Nanyondo and Halimah Nakaayi are counting their medal chances ahead of their events’ finals at the IAAF World Athletics Championships on Monday.
The Ugandan trio reached respective finals of steeplechase and the 800m after stellar performances at the weekend.
Nanyondo was comfortable as she took second place in the semi-final Heat 1 behind American Raevyn Rogers while Nakaayi showed even greater potential by winning Heat 3 at the Khalifa Stadium on Saturday.
The Ugandan duo will be in the two-lap distance final on Monday night with each counting their chances in the nine-man field.
“I am capable of doing more,” said Nakaayi after winning Heat 3 in a time of 1:59.35, a season best time.
“My body is in good shape and I am aware of the tactics. I want to give my best,” added the 24-year-old who won bronze at the African Games in Morocco last month.
Nanyondo posted 1:39.75 and is equally hopeful.
“I am in the final and I thank God,” she said.
“I am focused on performing well in the final,” she added.
The pair faces American Wilson Ajee who won bronze in London two years ago and 2013 World champion Sum in a new-look field after the regulatory ban of South African Caster Semenya, Kenyan Margaret Wambui and Burundian Francine Niyonsaba.
Meanwhile, Chemutai too won Heat 1 of the water-jump race after posting 9:21.98 ahead of American Emma Coburn and Kenyan Celliphine Chespol.
“The temperatures are okay and I like it,” said the 20-year-old.
“The plan is to win a medal in the final,” she added.
Chemutai, silver medalist at the World Juniors in Finland last year, faces tough Kenyans in Hyvin Kiyeng, Beatrice Chepkoech and defending champion Coburn.
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IAAF DOHA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
SELECTED RESULTS
WOMEN’S 800M ROUND 1
HEAT 1
1 Ajee Wilson (USA) 2:02.10
2 Halimah Nakaayi (UGA) 2:02.33
3 Hedda Hynne (NOR) 2:02.49
HEAT 3
1 Winnie Nanyondo (UGA) 2:00.36
2 Katharina Trost (GER) 2:01.45
3 Halima Hachlaf (MAR) 2:01.50
WOMEN’S 800M SEMIFINAL HEATS
HEAT 1
1 Raevyn Rogers (USA) 1:59.57
2 Winnie Nanyondo (UGA) 1:59.75
HEAT 3
1 Halimah Nakaayi (UGA) 1:59.35
2 Eunice Sum (KEN) 2:00.10
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MEN’S 5000M
HEAT 1
1 Selemon Barega (ETH) 13:24.69
2 Jacob Kropkenken (KEN) 13:24.94
3 Edris Muktar (ETH) 13:25.00
13 Oscar Chelimo (UGA) 13:42.94
HEAT 2
1 Paul Chelimo (USA) 13:20.18
2 Haile Bekele (ETH) 13:20.45
3 Filip Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 13:20.52
10 Stephen Kissa (UGA) 13:27.36
WOMEN’S MARATHON FINAL
1 Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:32:43
2 Rose Chelimo (BRN) 2:33:46
3 Helalia Johannes (NAM) 2:34:15
DNF Linet Chebet (UGA)
WOMEN’S 3000M STEEPLECHASE
HEAT 1
1 Peruth Chemutai (UGA) 9:21.98
2 Emma Coburn (USA) 9:23.40
3 Celliphine Chespol (KEN) 9:24.22
WOMEN’S 10000M FINAL
1 Sifan Hassan (NED) 30:17.62
2 Letesenbet Gidey (ETH) 30:21.23
3 Agnes Tirop (KEN) 30:25.20
16 Stella Chesang (UGA) 32:15.20
18 Rachael Chebet (UGA) 32:41.93
20 Juliet Chekwel (UGA) 33:28.18
This writer is a global broadcaster and as well scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune
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