Kenya's Chebet falls short, favourite Masilingi hits national record
Kenya' Mercy Chebet competes in the 100m heats during the World Under-20 Athletics Championship at Kasarani on August 18, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Tina Clayton, who has been saddled with the task of retaining the women’s 100m gold for Jamaica after Brianna Williams won in 2018, won the fourth heat in the second fastest time of 11.50.
- Camille Rutherford from Bahamas chalked the third fastest time of 11.59, winning the first heat as Nigarians Tima Seikeseye and Parise Ofoku won the third and second heats in11.59 and 11.65 respectively.
Homegirl Mercy Chebet Wednesday ran a personal best of 12.39 seconds in the 100m heats, but it was not enough to see her advance to the semis on day one of the World Under-20 Athletics Championship at Kasarani.
It was bound to be tough for Chebet going up against some of the world's best juniors including Beatrice Masilingi from Namibia, who is fresh from taking part in the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Going into the third heat in lane seven with Masilingi up in lane eight, Chebet had little to offer.
Chabet would finish seventh failing to make the semi-finals that are due Wednesday 4.10pm, with the final on Thursday at 5.30pm.
Kenya' Mercy Chebet (left) competes in the 100m heats during the World Under-20 Athletics Championship at Kasarani on August 18, 2021.
“I got off the blocks late and it was too late for me to dig in. It’s a good experience standing against the likes of Masilingi,” said Chebet, the Form two student at Musaria High School in Kericho County
Masilingi, who fiinished fifth in 200m final at the Tokyo Olympic Games, clocked a National Under-20 record time of 11.20 as she won the heat that is so far the fastest in the qualifying round.
Beatrice Masilingi from Namibia competes in the 100m heats during the World Under-20 Athletics Championship at Kasarani on August 18, 2021.
“It wasn't a good race with a slow start of the blocks, but I am looking forward to the final,” said Masilingi.
Tina Clayton, who has been saddled with the task of retaining the women’s 100m gold for Jamaica after Brianna Williams won in 2018, won the fourth heat in the second fastest time of 11.50.
Camille Rutherford from Bahamas chalked the third fastest time of 11.59, winning the first heat as Nigarians Tima Seikeseye and Parise Ofoku won the third and second heats in11.59 and 11.65 respectively.
