by Justin Lagat
Tsegay and Ingebrigtsen were some of the big stars who performed outstandingly on the first day of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China.
The global event started on a high note with exciting races and performances to remember and five gold medals on offer. Five nations would take home one gold medal each at the end of the day: Jeremiah Azu for Great Britain in the men’s 60m, Sarah Mitton for Canada in the women’s shot put, Woo Sanghyeok for Korea in the men’s high jump, Andy Diaz for Italy in the men’s triple jump and Saga Vanninen for Finland in the women’s Pentathlon.
In the men’s and women’s 1500m semi-finals, Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, who holds the world record, world-leading time, and world indoor championships record in the event, and Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who also holds the event’s world record and world-leading time, showed class as they easily sailed through to the finals.
Ingebrigtsen, in particular, brought fans to their feet when he started moving towards the front of the field as they approached the bell after running from behind the pack throughout the race. He did just enough to win the second heat of the semi-finals, leaving fans wondering what he would do in the final.
If there is one race with the highest probability of a gold medal going to one country, it would be the women’s 1500m. Tsegay, on her part, led for the better part of her race, appearing effortless in the first heat. Her compatriot, Deribe Welteji, also quickly took the last heat of the semi-final. With the battle for gold appearing to be a two-horse race between the two Ethiopians, it will be a massive surprise if another horse comes out to take the title on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, the men’s and women’s 800m heats were held, in which two Kenyans, Noah Kibet and Alex Kipngetich, made it to the semi-finals. Two Americans, world leader Josh Hoey and Brandon Miller, will also proceed in one of the races that promises to be competitive in the championships.
The fastest in the women’s 800m heats was USA’s Nia Akins. Patricia Silva of Portugal, Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma, and South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodisa were the other winners in their respective heats. Kenya’s Lilian Odira finished second in the first heat, making the cut to the semi-finals.
