London Cranes Media

Jacob Araptany and Benjamin Kiplagat got some renewed confidence when they qualified for Thursday’s World Athletics championships 3000m steeplechase finals, by winning their respective hits. Action is taking place in Daegu, Korea. But another Uganda Simon Ayeko failed the test when he finished seventh in heat two being locked out of the top four that had automatic qualification and the fastest three losers.

Both Kiplagat (8:19.96) and Araptany (8:18.57) led their heats from the start, despite having experienced and talented and experienced runners on Monday morning.

One would argue that most of the runners were running for positions to qualify owing to their experience, but the fact that Ugandans managed to win their respective heats will add more confidence to them ahead of the finals.