Qatar’s Abubaker Haydar Abdalla (right) crossing the finish line during the Men’s 800m heats yesterday. Picture: Abdul Basit / the Peninsula
Qatar’s Abubaker Haydar Abdalla kept his medal hopes alive at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, sailing into the men’s 800m semi-finals at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday.
Backed by the cheering home spectators, the Asian champion reached the finish line in 1:46.11 to finish second in heat 3. Unfortunately, another Qatari runner Jamal Hairane, who clocked 1:46.40, missed the semis berth by a fraction of a second.
Abubaker led for the most part of his heat and although he faded near the end, his effort was enough to give him a place in the semi-final.
“It was a good position. As planned, my target was to get to the semi-final, and thanks to God I managed to. Hopefully, I will qualify for the final,” Abubaker told reporters.
The Qatari middle-distance runner, who ran 1:44.33 for a gold medal at Asian Championships last April, vowed his best show in the semi-final.
“I think with a time of 1:44s, you should be in the final. I am looking forward to the final and will run with confidence in the final,” the 23-year-old said.
When asked about his prospects of winning a medal, he said: “Anything is possible. We will try our best and will see what we will get,” he said before praising the spectators for his all-out support.
“It felt great, the cheers here. I feel so great to be here again. Competing in two major championships within months on your home soil is great,” he said.
Kenya’s Emmanuel Kipkurui Korir topped the heats with a time of 1:45.16, while Morocco’s Mostafa Smaili (1:45.27), and Wesley Vazquez Puerto Rican (1:45.47) finished second and third respectively in the heats.
Earlier, after slotting in behind leaders Marco Arop and Andrea Kramer through the first 600m, USA’s Donavan Brazier moved through the final bent and shifted through the final 50m to win the first 800m heat in 1:46.04 and advance.
Pre-event favourite Nijel Amos did not compete in the men’s 800m heats after an injury, leaving the 2012 Olympic silver medallist and multiple Diamond League champion out of the medal race.
Meanwhile, Hairane hoped to bounce back in forthcoming events after missing the cut closely.
“I am satisfied with my time. I did my best and will take this experience forward in the future events,” said Hairane after the event.
The semi-final of the men’s 800m will be held today while the final is scheduled for October 1.
