Leonard Chemutai advances to 3000m Men’s Steeplechase Final
David GOMBE
Uganda’s Leonard Chemutai advanced to the men’s 3000m steeplechase final on his Olympic debut after posting a season best of 8:18.19.
Chemutai finished second behind reigning Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali in Heat One on Monday evening at Stade de France.
The Ugandan will be seeking Olympic glory in Wednesday’s Final at the Paris Games.
Leonard is the fourth male Ugandan steeplechaser at the Olympics after the late Benjamin Kiplagat, Jacob Araptany and Albert Chemutai.
The Ugandan won Africa Senior Athletics Championships gold in Douala, in July.
Meanwhile, Tarsis Orogot another debutant at the Olympic games, surged to the men’s 200m semi-final due on Wednesday.
Orogot won his Heat two after finishing in a time of 20.32 seconds ahead of Bahamas’ Wanya McCoy.