BEIJING - For the first time since 2009, three American men have qualified to the World Championships 1500m final. Matthew Centrowitz, Leo Manzano, and Robby Andrews all advanced out of Friday night’s semi-finals and will represent one-fourth of the 12 man field in Sunday’s 7:45 pm 1500 final. They’ll face a very strong field on Sunday, including two-time defending champion Asbel Kiprop and his three Kenyan compatriots. 

 

Here’s how they got it done:

 

Semi-Final #1 - Kiprop Wins, Willis Closes Hard As Centro, Leo Auto-Qualify 

As is customary, the first semi went out very slow through the first 800 in 2:08. Two-time defending world champion Asbel Kiprop of Kenya controlled the tempo throughout and would end up as the easy victor in 3:43.48, slowing down before the line with a very smooth-looking 51.96-second last lap. 

 

Behind Kiprop, Nick Willis, Silas Kiplagat, and Matthew Centrowitz cruised in to places 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, respectively, all around 3:43. Centrowitz, the reigning silver medalist and an expert tactician, looked very smooth throughout the race, and figures to be right in the thick of medal contention come Sunday. 

 

The 32-year-old Willis’ finish was particularly impressive, as the Kiwi moved up from last to second over the final 400m. Having run a 3:29 PR this season and showing such elite wheels tonight, the 2008 Olympic silver medalist also figures to fight for a medal on Sunday. His closing 300m tonight was clocked at a ridiculous 37.7, a full second faster than that of Kiprop. Based on our estimation, Willis’ last lap was around 51 seconds.
 

Another fast kicker in this section was 2012 Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, who moved up from 10th to 5th all in the last 100m. The 30-year-old American needed that move to make the final, as he grabbed the last auto spot in a section without any time qualifiers. This marks the first time since 2009 that Manzano has made a World Championship final. 

Leo Manzano on his fast finish to make the final: "I'm always giving people heart attacks":

The final is likely to be run very similar to this heat, very slow at the start and lightning quick at the end, so the big kickers in this race should like their chances heading into the final. It should be noted, however, that Kiprop, Kiplagat, and Centrowitz were all letting up in the final 50m and ran the smartest of anyone. 

Semi-Final #2 - 3:36 Doesn’t Make The Final, Robby Andrews Does

As expected, the second semi was much quicker than its predecessor as Kenyan Elijah Manangoi won in 3:35.00. The pace went out at a controlled 59 and 1:59 through 400 and 800, which ensured that the two time qualifiers were coming out of this one.

 

All of the favorites advanced, including 2012 Olympic champ Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria who was second in 3:35.05. Rounding out the auto-qualifiers was Abdelaati Iguider of Morocco, Charlie Grice of Great Britain, and Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya.

 

A hard-kicking Robby Andrews moved up from 11th to 6th in the final 400m to grab the first time qualifying spot in 3:35.88. This type of finish has become a Robby Andrews trademark throughout his career, and now he’ll have the chance to show off his closing speed on the sport’s biggest stage, the World Championship final. 

 

In what has been by far the best season of his career, Andrews continues to show consistency in 2015 after several years without it to start his pro career. His time in the semi was his third 3:35 of the season, which is two more than he’s ever had in one year. 

 

Andrews ran so hard to grab his spot in the final tonight that he had to cool off with ice-packs before talking to the media. 

Robby Andrews on his semi-final: "It wasn't pretty":

Andrews afterwards: “I was running pretty hard, don’t tell anyone,” he joked.

We’ll see if the 24-year-old has another hard run in him on Sunday in his first time at this stage. 

 

Ethiopia’s Aman Wote was the last man in to the final, as he finished a place behind the American in 3:35.97. Reigning World bronze medalist Johan Cronje failed to advance despite running 3:36.59, which is the fastest time in World Championship history to miss the final.