Noah Ngeny (2389) wins the Olympic title in Sydney (© Getty Images)
Olympics 1500m champion Noah Ngeny was eliminated in the semi-final stage of that event at the Kenyan Olympic trials held on a cloudy and cool afternoon in the capital today.
However, there was better news for Wilfred Bungei who posted a spectacular sub 1:45 in the men’s 800m.
Of the other highlights on the first of two day’s competition, in the women's 10,000m final, Alice Timbilil, winner in Utrecht last week, overtook the little known Japan-based Lucy Wangui to earn an Olympic Games ticket.
Ngeny must wait on an unlikely third berth wild card
Olympic champion Ngeny showed a lot of promise, remaining fifth during the first two laps of his 1500m semi final (the second heat). He grabbed the lead at the bell but apparently broke away too early as he began to slow up after 50m. Yet he was still in contention with 70m to go but then started fading badly, ending up fifth and out of the final.
Korir coming from behind blazed to the tape in 3:47.8. William Chirchir (3:48.0) managed to shake of Isaac Songok (3:48.2) for second position.
In the first semi-final heat, Timothy Kiptanui clocked 3:46.0, the fastest time of the day closely followed by Bernard Lagat who was running at home for the first time in a year. He was timed 3:46.3. Kenyan champion Evans Ndung'u was third in 3:46.4.
Though there is the vague possibility that the Kenyan selectors could give Ngeny the third discretionary spot on the Athens team, given that Ngeny hasn’t even made tomorrow’s final, that scenario seems more than unlikely.
Ngeny said his defeat had shattered his Olympics dream as he has been trying to find his form for most of the last four years. He had recently been ruled fit to compete again by his doctors and has undergone a rigorous training regime since the beginning of the season.
Lagat, the Olympic bronze medallist in 2000 and a former World silver medallist said he was living by the day. "These are tough trials which I take by the day. I am looking forward to the final which will be extremely tough in absence of any knowledge about my opponents," he said.
Bungei dazzles in 800m semi
Bungei, also a silver medallist in the 2001 Edmonton Worlds but at 800m, is considered Kenya's greatest hope in the two lap event at the Olympics should he qualify for Athens. Today he surprised his foes and spectators alike when he produced a commanding lead half way through the first semi-final, and cruised to victory in a remarkable time of 1:44.90.
The world's second fastest this year Justus Koech was a distant second (1:45.65), with former World Junior champion Nicholas Wachira making the cut in 1:46.0.
William Yampoi, fourth in Edmonton, grabbed the lead in the second 800m semi after only 200m, then briefly relinquished it again to Joseph Mutua before starting his kick from 100m out, winning in 1:45.6, followed Kenyan champion Michael Rotich in 1:46.3.
Timbilil wins women’s 10,000m
The women's 10,000m final started on a slow note with Catherine Kirui, Timbilil, Irene Kwambai, and Commonwealth Games champion Selina Kosgei running closely together in the front.
Following behind were Wangui, Sally Barsosio, and former Rotterdam marathon champion Susan Chepkemei.
But Kosgei was forced to retire mid-race due to an injury while Chepkemei lost out on the 19th lap when she fell, and although she again caught up with the rest, she could not manage to move back to the front and eventually finished seventh.
Finally, Wangui broke away at the bell and led until the last 70m when Timbilil came from behind to overtake her, clocking 32:12.1. Wangui (32:12.3) and Kwambai (32:12.4).
The first two finishers automatically qualified for the Olympic squad, while the third place will be decided by Athletics Kenya and could either be given to the 1997 World champion Barsosio or Jane Wanjiku since they already have qualifying times. Wanjiku, this season’s fastest withdrew to run in the 5000m final on Saturday.
Peter Njenga (Daily Nation) for the IAAF
RESULTS
Men
800m Heat one 1: Wilfred Bungei, Individual, 1:44.90; 2. Justus Koech, 1:45.65; 3. Nicholas Wachira, Individual, 1:46.0; 4. Edwin Leting, Individual, 1:46.31.
Heat Two 1: William Yampoi, Prisons, 1:45.6; 2. Joseph Mutua, Armed Forces; 1:46.0; 3. Michael Rotich, Armed Forces, 1:46.3; 4. Henry Rotich, Individual, 1:46.5.
1500m Heat one 1: Timothy Kiptanui, Individual, 3:46.0; 2. Bernard Lagat, Individual, 3:46.3; 3. Evans Ndung'u, Central, 3:46.4; 4. Alex Kipchirchir, Armed Forces, 3:46.5.
Heat two 1: Paul Korir, Individual, 3:47.08; 2. William Chirchir, Individual, 3:48.0; 3. Isaac Songok, Individual, 3:48.2; 4. Chirchir Kipsang, Individual, 3:48.6.
Women
10,000m Final 1: Alice Timbilil, North Rift, 32:12.1; 2. Lucy Wangui, Individual, 32:12.3; 3. Irene Kwambai, Armed Forces, 32:12.4; 4. Catherine Kirui, Prisons, 32:16.5; 5. Doris Chepngywo, South Rift, 32:19.5.
