Africans blaze through heats

A host of African athletes progressed past their respective heats and qualifiers on the fifth day of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

“I am like them, why fear(ing) them? I am all good…”
Prudence Sekgodiso is excited to have nailed a spot in the 800m semi-finals.#WorldAthleticsChampionships#CityPress

🎥 @DanieMothowagae in Budapest pic.twitter.com/jbt0DGfpwk

— City Press (@City_Press) August 23, 2023

In the women’s javelin qualification round, Jo-Ane van Dyk of South Africa finished within the top 12 with a throw of 60.09m to secure her progression.

In the women’s 200m heats round, five African athletes qualified for the semi-finals, with Ivory Coast enjoying great success. Marie Josee Ta Lou and Mabounda Kon, both from the Ivory Coast, finished second in their respective heats, while compatriot Jessika Gbai finished her heat in third. Favour Ofili (Nigeria) and Gina Bass (The Gambia) both placed fourth.

‘Today, I’m good, God restored my heart’
Following a huge disappointment on Monday and her 4th place in the Women’s 100m final, Marie-Josée Ta Lou is back on the track and with a big smile.
She has qualified for the 200m semi-final with her best season time: 22.26s pic.twitter.com/D8PoUFMEqU

— Voxafrica TV (@voxafricauk) August 23, 2023

Six athletes progressed to the semi-finals of the men’s 200m event, including Botswana star Letsile Tebogo, who placed first in his heat.

Letsile Tebogo 🇧🇼…WOW… this last 100m looked extremely GOOD!

This 200m is gonna be SO 🔥🔥🔥

The 200m is the new 100m! 🤪😏#Mens200mR1 pic.twitter.com/b8YtE68PMJ

— Unconventional Voices of Track & Field (@VoicesofTnF) August 23, 2023

Three South Africans, Luxolo Adams, Sinesipho Dambile and Shaun Maswanganyi, all placed third in their respective heats, while Tarsis Gracious Orogot from Uganda finished fourth and Alaba Olukunle Akintola of Nigeria placed third.

The women’s 5000m heats were dominated by African athletes, securing eight semi-final berths.

FOUR Kenyans 🇰🇪 make it into Saturday’s 5000m Women’s Final🔥

Faith Kipyegon
Beatrice Chebet
Margaret Kepkemboi
Lilian Kasait Rengeruk

Congratulations 👏👏👏#RadullKE #TeamKenya#Budapest2023 pic.twitter.com/m48fcDaUSO

— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) August 23, 2023

In heat 1, Beatrice Chebet (Kenya) placed first, Gudaf Tsegay (Ethiopia) finished second and Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi (Kenya) came in third, while Medina Eisa of Ethiopia qualified in sixth.

In the second heat, Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) placed second, Ethiopians Ejgayehu Taye and Freweyni Hailu placed second and third respectively, while Kenyan Lilian Kasait Rengeruk finished fourth.

In the 3000m women’s steeplechase, eight athletes qualified. They are: Jackline Chepkoech (Kenya), Zerfe Wondemagegn (Ethiopia), Beatrice Chepkoech (Kenya), Faith Cherotich (Kenya), Sembo Almayew (Ethiopia), Peruth Chemutai (Uganda) and Lomi Muleta (Ethiopia) and Marwa Bouzayani (Tunisia).

In the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan of Nigeria qualified for the semi-finals after placing first following a scintillating run.

Tobi Amusan qualifies for the semi-finals in style. She’s unstoppable 😍 pic.twitter.com/tJLw1eT2ia

— Dami’ Adenuga (@DAMIADENUGA) August 23, 2023