Akemkwene qualifies for the 800m semi-finals at the FISU World University Game
The Ndejje University year-two student of education finished fourth in heat one of five to qualify alongside five others from the same heat in the strong field of 42 athletes in all the heats from different countries.
Peter Akemkwene qualified for the FISU World University Games 800m semi-finals on Friday night. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
By Michael Nsubuga
Journalists @New Vision
Ugandan middle-distance runner Peter Akemkwene clocked 1:49.23 in the FISU World University Games 800m race to qualify for the semi-finals of the event at the Lohrheide Stadium in Bochum on Friday night.
The Ndejje University year-two student of education finished fourth in heat one of five to qualify alongside five others from the same heat in the strong field of 42 athletes in all the heats from different countries.
He qualified alongside Switzerland’s Ivan Pelizza, who won the heat in 1:48.98; Australia’s Jack Lunn (1:49.19); and Canada’s Alexander Purnell, who finished third with a season’s best of 1:49.22.
Great Britain’s David Alexander Race was the other runner who qualified from the heat with one of the fastest times. The first four in each heat get direct qualification, with the next four fastest also advancing to the semis.
Poland’s Maciej Michal Wyderka from heat four posted the fastest time of 1:48.02, followed by France’s Jordan Terrasse (1:48.87) and Slovakia’s Jan Vukovic (1:48.88) ahead of Saturday’s semis.
Earlier on Thursday night Marvarous Orishaba competed in the women’s 5000m race, finishing tenth with a personal best of 16:47.28. She missed qualifying for the final by 7.12 seconds.