Kenyan trio led by Timothy Cheruiyot through to Paris Olympics 1500m semis

Kenya’s trio Brian Komen, Timothy Cheruiyot and Reynold Cheruiyot Friday morning sailed through to the Paris Olympics 1500m semifinals after being among the first six to cross the line in their respective heats held here at Stade de France.

African champion Komen clocked 3mins 36:31 seconds to finish behind reigning world champion Josh Kerr of Great Britain who ran a season's best time of 3mins 35.83 seconds to win the first heat.

Komen took the lead in the first lap but tactically dropped to third before kicking at the bell to finish behind Kerr, who also surged in the last 200m as he threw down the gauntlet ahead of the semis.

“We’ve trained a lot on the speed and I tried to kick today and it was good. I did not want to unleash all my energy because the focus was first to be in the first six regardless of time.

“Heats are very tactical and it’s good to get it right from the start. Everybody is also running tactically and very carefully. The target is to first reach the final and then give it all at that point,” said Komen, who is making his Olympics debut this year.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot timed 3:35.39 to finish fifth in heat two that was won by Ethiopia’s Ermias Girma who clocked 3:35.21.

“Our heat was the fastest and it was also a tactical one compared with the other two. I didn’t want to kick early and also I ensured that I’m not far behind the leading pack. Everyone is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the semis and the final and that’s why the results are not surprising,” said Cheruiyot.

“The injury was a big setback for me but everything is perfect and I believe this year we can go beyond our Tokyo performance.”

Former World U-20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot timed 3:37.12 to place fourth in heat three that also had the reigning Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen who finished third in 3:37.04.

Stefan Nillessen of the Netherlands stormed into the semifinals as the winner of the heat clocking 3:36.77.

The men’s 1500 semifinals will be held on Sunday, August 4 (8:10pm Kenyan time), with the final scheduled for Tuesday (7:50pm Kenyan time).

Kenya is eyeing her first men’s 1500m title since the 2008 Beijing Games.