(L-R) Bernard Lagat of United States and Asbel Kipruto Kiprop of Kenya in an eventful 1500m heats (© Getty Images)
After a series of four largely tactical races, no key players were left from advancing to Monday’s 1500m semi-finals.
European leader Mehdi Baala (FRA) played it safe in the first, heat deciding to go for the victory which he clinched midway through the home straight in 3:42.77. American Leo Manzano, who looked to be in trouble midway through the last turn, swung wide as he entered the homestretch to eventually take second in 3:42.87, ahead of Moroccan Abdalaati Iguider (3:42.88). Australian Jeff Riseley and Belal Mansoor Ali of Bahrain moved on as well.
Running in the middle of the pack for the first half, Olympic silver medallist Asbel Kiprop, who is leading the Kenyan podium sweep hopes, took control with half a lap to go en route to his 3:41.42 win, just ahead of defending champion Bernard Lagat (USA), who looked equally relaxed when he crossed the line in 3:41.77 despite running well wide in lane three.
Despite the building hype about a Kenyan 1-2-3, Kiprop said that for the moment, there is no talk of team racing. “For now, I do everything for myself,” he said. “And then, if we all advance, we’ll see if we can do something as a team.”
Lagat is by far the most experienced in the field, and it showed. “I ran smart,” said Lagat, who is also planning to defend his 5000m title next week. “I didn’t want to be pushed so sometimes I was running in lane three and that was a lot of work. But I feel very comfortable and self-confident. I feel as strong as in Osaka.”
Behind them Portugal’s Rui Silva (3:41.98) and South African Peter van der Westhuizen (3:42.33) moved on as well.
Kenyan Augustine Choge, the world leader, took the third heat in 3:44.73, just a few ticks ahead of Amine Laalou (3:44.75), the Moroccan 800m record holder.
“I tried to control my position and stay patient,” said Choge, the only sub-3:30 runner this season. “It makes you more confident when you are in front.”
Fast-finishing American Lopez Lomong, an Olympic semi-finalist a year ago, was third, moving on with Briton Andy Baddeley and Henok Legesse of Ethiopia.
Heat Four was predictably the fastest, with nine men – the first five automatically and the next four on time – advancing.
After taking control at the bell, Ethiopian Deresse Mekonnen, the World indoor champion, edged Kenyan Haron Keitany by 0.09 in 3:37.04. Briton James Brewer, Moroccan Mohamed Moustoui and former 800m ace Yusuf Saad Kamel of Bahrain, all dipped under 3:38. Most disappointed was German Stefan Eberhardt who was 10th, just .01 shy of moving on.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
European leader Mehdi Baala (FRA) played it safe in the first, heat deciding to go for the victory which he clinched midway through the home straight in 3:42.77. American Leo Manzano, who looked to be in trouble midway through the last turn, swung wide as he entered the homestretch to eventually take second in 3:42.87, ahead of Moroccan Abdalaati Iguider (3:42.88). Australian Jeff Riseley and Belal Mansoor Ali of Bahrain moved on as well.
Running in the middle of the pack for the first half, Olympic silver medallist Asbel Kiprop, who is leading the Kenyan podium sweep hopes, took control with half a lap to go en route to his 3:41.42 win, just ahead of defending champion Bernard Lagat (USA), who looked equally relaxed when he crossed the line in 3:41.77 despite running well wide in lane three.
Despite the building hype about a Kenyan 1-2-3, Kiprop said that for the moment, there is no talk of team racing. “For now, I do everything for myself,” he said. “And then, if we all advance, we’ll see if we can do something as a team.”
Lagat is by far the most experienced in the field, and it showed. “I ran smart,” said Lagat, who is also planning to defend his 5000m title next week. “I didn’t want to be pushed so sometimes I was running in lane three and that was a lot of work. But I feel very comfortable and self-confident. I feel as strong as in Osaka.”
Behind them Portugal’s Rui Silva (3:41.98) and South African Peter van der Westhuizen (3:42.33) moved on as well.
Kenyan Augustine Choge, the world leader, took the third heat in 3:44.73, just a few ticks ahead of Amine Laalou (3:44.75), the Moroccan 800m record holder.
“I tried to control my position and stay patient,” said Choge, the only sub-3:30 runner this season. “It makes you more confident when you are in front.”
Fast-finishing American Lopez Lomong, an Olympic semi-finalist a year ago, was third, moving on with Briton Andy Baddeley and Henok Legesse of Ethiopia.
Heat Four was predictably the fastest, with nine men – the first five automatically and the next four on time – advancing.
After taking control at the bell, Ethiopian Deresse Mekonnen, the World indoor champion, edged Kenyan Haron Keitany by 0.09 in 3:37.04. Briton James Brewer, Moroccan Mohamed Moustoui and former 800m ace Yusuf Saad Kamel of Bahrain, all dipped under 3:38. Most disappointed was German Stefan Eberhardt who was 10th, just .01 shy of moving on.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
