Marco Arop, hailing from Edmonton, secured a spot in the men’s 800 meters world championship final on his 27th birthday. Arop led the first heat in 1:45.09 despite rain at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, ensuring his automatic qualification for the final. He fended off a late challenge from Mark English of Ireland, showing resilience after narrowly making it to the semifinals earlier in the week.
Expressing confidence, Arop stated his intention to control the race on Saturday. His coach, Chris Woods, highlighted Arop’s versatile race-winning abilities, setting a positive tone for the upcoming final.
In another heat, Djamel Sedjati of Algeria matched Arop’s time but lacked the winning edge at the finish line. Arop’s strategic prowess and strong finish were key to his victory.
The men’s 800m final, where Arop will compete, is scheduled for 9:22 a.m. ET on Saturday. Arop emphasized his growth as a middle-distance runner, noting his comfort in adverse weather conditions compared to earlier in his career.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya, the reigning Olympic champion with a history of dueling Arop, also advanced to the final. Despite comparisons based on timing, Arop’s coach emphasized the importance of race execution and form on the final day.
In other events, Canadian sprinters Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, and Andre De Grasse faced challenges in the men’s 200 meters. De Grasse, the Olympic gold medalist, fell short due to injury setbacks affecting his training. Blake showed improvement but aimed to build on his performance, acknowledging his untapped potential.
Elsewhere, world 200m champion Noah Lyles of the United States set a season-best time of 19.51, securing a spot in the finals. Lyles showcased his dominance on the track, emphasizing his strategic race approach and determination to stay ahead of the competition.
Looking ahead, Canadian relay men, including Brendon Rodney, Brown, Blake, and De Grasse, aimed to redeem themselves after missing the 2023 final. Their confidence stemmed from past successes and a unified team approach to tackle tough competition.
In the women’s 200m, Canadian Audrey Leduc faced disappointment, missing out on the final despite her efforts. Meanwhile, Maeliss Trapeau advanced in the women’s 800m, showcasing her prowess on the track.
Lastly, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone made history by breaking the 48-second mark in the women’s 400m final. Her fierce competition with Marileidy Paulino led to record-breaking performances, highlighting their exceptional skills and determination.
The world athletics championships in Tokyo continue with thrilling races and exceptional displays of athleticism.