Rotich seeks to break 800m duck with a medal in Doha
By Maryanne Mwahaki
Ferguson Rotich will single handedly carry Kenyan flag high in the
800m men finals today in the ongoing World Athletics Championships in
Doha,Qatar as the competition enters day five on Tuesday.
Rotich booked a slot in the final after finishing second in the first
semi- final clocking a time of 1:44:20 in a round that was won by
Puerto Rican Wesley Vazquez who goes to the final as the overall
fastest qualifier.
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“The race was quite okay and I was mentally prepared for it. I knew
Wesley would be a challenge and its unfortunate that my counterparts
were not lucky enough to qualify. The pressure will of course will be
there but I have ran alone severally in Diamond league and am hopeful
that being my fourth time in world championship I will be able to bag
a medal,” Rotich told People Sport.
His counter part Immanuel Korir who is currently based in the US
finished third in the second semi final but still exuded confidence
that his focus will now shift to the World Indoor Championships as and
2020 Olympics.
"The race was a little bit difficult, I struggled but I am satisfied
with my general performance, now I'm shifting my focus to the upcoming
events. I have been struggling with some injuries and probably that is what has cost me,” Korir said.
The pressure now will be on Rotich to hunt for a medal in the 800m
final today despite not having won any in the three previous world
championships that he has taken part in.
