Ugandan athlete Halima Nakaayi has qualified for the semifinals of the Women’s 800m after dominating her heat in the first lap on Wednesday.
Halima started with a blistering pace, shooting to first place in the first 300m stretch. She led and crossed race halfway mark in 57:27.
In the final half of the race, Nakaayi slowed down as several overtook her but managed a personal best of 1:59.78 to seal qualification to the semis.
Canada’s Melissa Bishop emerged winner of the heat – 4 – and overall in 1:58.38, Nakaayi crossing the finish line in 5th position, 10th overall.
Ugandan compatriot Winnie Nanyondo started her heat – 5 – as well with a high pace, she led for the first 300m.
At the halfway mark, she lost the lead to Kenya’s Eunice Jepkoech, and she further slipped, cutting pace, to finish 6th, 47th overall in 2:02.77. Winnie missed progression to the semi finals.
