Mathew Kipsang Sole Kenyan in Men's 5000m Final as Jakob Ingebrigtsen Scrapes Through

Three Kenyan men, Jacob Krop, Mathew Kipsang, and Cornelius Kemboi looking to fly Kenya's flag high in the men's 5000m and secure slots in the final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

However, they were not the only ones with the intention of making the final, as Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the defending champion, after failing to make a mark in the 1500m, was out to make amends with perhaps his now favourite distance.

Olympic 1500m champion Cole Hocker, after being disqualified from the 1500m at the World Championships, was also eyeing a smooth run and making the final, where the sole goal is always a podium finish.

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According to World Athletics, the first eight of each heat qualify for the final, and athletes were not lining up to gamble their chances of competing in the final.

The first heat started with Cole Hocker immediately out on the front, knowing that there were no slots for the fastest losers. Nico Young was running in third.

Santiago Catrofe of Uruguay was lying in second place, hoping to maintain that place throughout the whole 12 and a half laps. Hocker was leading the way, showcasing his tough endurance abilities despite the 1500m being his specialty.

The outstanding East Africans, including the Kenyan duo of Mathew Kipsang and Jacob Krop and Uganda's Kenneth Kiprop, were running in the middle, yet to make their intentions clear.

Cole Hocker was still doing the most work, controlling the pace of the race after two laps. Soufiane El Bakkali, who was shocked in the men's 3000m steeplechase, had been entered to compete in the race but withdrew.

Andreas Almgren of Sweden then took charge from Cole Hocker and increased the pace to drop some threats. However, the pack held onto Almgren.

Nico Young then rose and started running in second, with two and a half laps remaining, and Cole Hocker, who had done most of the work, was fading.

Almgren continued putting in the work to stretch the athletes, with Ethiopia's Hagos Gebrhiwet also showing himself after running under the radar. At the bell, Nico Young went to the front and continued the momentum, fighting for the top honours with Gebrhiwet.

However, Isaac Kimeli, who had been prominent throughout, came from behind to take the win in 13:13.06. Kenya's Mathew Kipsang and Cole Hocker finished second and third in respective times of 13:13.33 and 13:13.41.

Nico Young, Ky Robinson, Hagos Gebrhiwet, Mike Foppen and Etienne Daguinos also made the final, with another Kenyan, Jacob Krop, missing out.

The second heat started out at a slower pace than Cole Hocker did in the first one. Eisa Mohammed was leading the group that had Niels Laros, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and Grant Fisher.

Kenya's Cornelius Kemboi was also in the mix, running in the middle of the pack as Eisa Mohammed and Saymon Amauel were still doing most of the work.

Grant Fisher and Cornelius Kemboi then took the mantle, with India's Gulveer Singh also showing glimpses of brilliance in the race. However, Amanuel then took the leading charges, with Cornelius Kemboi being pushed to the back.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen was still running from behind, not sure whether he was suffering or waiting for the later stages of the race. Niels Laros would then withdraw from the race, perhaps due to a cramp despite looking good for the better part of the race.

George Mills, and Jimmy Gressier were also looking comfortable and as they went around to the bell, with just 400m to go, the group was a huge one, with Ingebrigtsen looking to make a move.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen would then cross the line in eighth place, sneaking into the final, but he did not look like he was in gold-medal.

Biniam Mehary of Ethiopia came from behind and claimed the win in 13:41.52 ahead of the world 10,000m champion Gressier. Birhanu Balew rounded up the podium. George Mills, Valentin Soca, Grant Fisher and Yann Schrub made the final too.

Kenya's Cornelius Kemboi finished 12th and could not make the final, leaving all the hope on Mathew Kipsang.