Willis banks on day’s rest to fill tank for 1500m final
Nick Willis is banking on an extra day’s rest replenishing some muchneeded energy for the final of the 1500 metres at the world athletics championships early tomorrow (NZT).
The 34-year-old Michigan-based New Zealander cut it fine in qualifying for his second straight and fourth final of the IAAF World Championships as he chases a first ever medal at this level.
He had to ‘‘muscle’’ his way to a sixth-place finish in the second of two semifinals at London’s Olympic Stadium yesterday, just a spot outside the five automatic qualifying positions available.
But the veteran Kiwi and twotime Olympic medallist over 1500m said he was always confident he would squeeze into the final in one of the two ‘‘fastest loser’’ spots after the opening semi had been slow.
And in the end Willis’ modest time of 3min 38.68sec – four seconds outside his season’s best set in Monaco in July – was good enough to earn him the 11th of the 12 qualifying spots in the final where he will be comfortably the oldest runner in the field. ‘‘It didn’t feel great. ‘‘I think I’ll enjoy having an extra day’s rest before the final,’’ Willis said on a quick trip through the mixed zone.
‘‘I just felt a bit over-extended and I was trying to relax but then a whole bunch of guys were coming. I knew seven would get through from our semi but suddenly with 50m to go I could sense a big rush of guys coming and I just didn’t quite have that extra gear, so I had to muscle it in.’’
It was not a typical Willis race in the semifinal, with the Wellingtonian settling mid-pack early and then pushing up to third at the bell. But as the pace went on over the final sprint, he did not have the kick needed to finish top five, and was forced to dig deep to ensure qualification.
‘‘Usually he likes to run from the back but I think he wanted to make sure that he wasn’t getting kicked around or anything and just to make sure he got in,’’ Willis’ coach Ron Warhurst said.
Czech Jacob Holusa won the second semifinal in 3:38.05, just shading Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot (3:38.24) in a close finish. Poland’s Marcin Lewandowski, Britain’s Chris O’Hare and Morocco’s Fouad Elkaam picked up the other automatic qualifying spots.
The first semifinal was won comfortably by Kenya’s Elijah Manangoi in the slow time of 3:40.10, with compatriot and defending champion Asbel Kiprop tucked in behind, just 0.04s behind. Norway’s Filip Ingebrigtsen, Bahrain’s Sadik Mikhou, and Spain’s Adel Mechaal were the other qualifiers.
Willis, who had his best world champs finish of sixth in the 1500m two years ago in Beijing, was banking on the day off before the final proving crucial for him.
‘‘Hopefully that extra day’s rest will help. Hopefully I’ll bounce back pretty good for the final,’’ he added. ‘‘The idea is that I’m improving every race because it’s early season for me, so that’s what I’m going to hang on to. I’ll be giving everything I can for a medal ... that’s why I’m in the final, to give it a shot.’’
Warhurst said his charge would have a chance in the final, providing he ran the race on his terms.
‘‘I wouldn’t put anything past him. He’s surprised people before ... it’s all a matter of where his mindset is at for this one,’’ he said.
‘‘It doesn’t really matter how you feel, the point of it is to advance and how you get there is irrelevant, as long as you get there. He came into these championships with a big question mark. He ran 3:34.74 in Monaco in 10th place and everybody thought he’s out the back door, the old man can’t do it.
‘‘Well, we got another shot. The main thing is that Nick is in the final and he is healthy.’’