Africa Under-18 gold medalist Josphat Kipkirui has advanced to the men’s 1500m finals at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.

Kipkirui dominated Heat One, clocking 3:44.62, and became the only Kenyan to qualify for the men’s 1500m finals.

He aims to help Kenya retain the title currently held by Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot, who won it in Cali in 2022.

In Heat One, South Africa’s Johannes Morepe finished second with a time of 3:45.10, while Norwegian Hakon Moe Berg came third at 3:45.40.

Other qualifiers included Serbian Aldin Catovic, who set a personal best of 3:45.66, and American Trent McFarland, who finished with a time of 3:47.17.

It was a disappointing day for Collins Koech Kibiwott, who finished sixth in Heat Two and missed the automatic qualification for the finals.

Kibiwott clocked 3:45.15 in a heat won by Spaniard Alex Pintado (3:44.62), followed closely by Ethiopian Abdisa Fayisa (3:44.83) and Great Britain’s George Cuttie (3:44.84).

In the women’s 1500m category, Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka and Miriam Chemutai Kibet also secured their places in the finals. Nyaboke clocked 4:21.72, finishing just behind Ethiopian Saron Berhe (4:18.88).

She will be joined in the final by Chemutai, who placed fifth in Heat One, won by Great Britain’s Ava Lloyd with a time of 4:21.53.

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