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Anass Essayi Advances to 1500m Semifinals, Igniting Hope for Morocco at Paris Olympics

Friday 02 August 2024 - 15:15

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In a beacon of hope amidst a challenging start for the Moroccan delegation at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, middle-distance runner Anass Essayi has secured a spot in the men’s 1500m semifinals, injecting a much-needed dose of optimism into the nation's Olympic campaign.

The 23-year-old athlete finished fourth in his qualifying heat with a time of 3:36.44, a performance that places him among the world's elite runners. Essayi's strategic race management, conserving energy until the final lap, was instrumental in his qualification. He finished just behind Norway’s Narve Gilje Nordas, who took third place with a time of 3:36.41. Kenya’s Brian Komen finished second with a time of 3:36.31, while Scotland’s Josh Kerr won the heat with a time of 3:35.83.

Essayi, who has a history of success with silver medals in the 1,500 meters at the 2018 All-Africa Youth Games in Algiers and the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, as well as a bronze medal in the same event at the 2021 Pan Arab Athletics Championships in Rades, has earned the opportunity to compete against top global contenders in the semifinals. The semifinals are scheduled for Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Moroccan time. Should he advance, Essayi could potentially compete in the final on Tuesday, August 6.

However, Essayi’s success stands in stark contrast to the disappointing results of several other Moroccan athletes at the Paris Olympics. Kayaker Mathis Soudi, a bronze medalist at the recent World Championships, narrowly missed out on a spot in the final of the Canoe-Kayak Slalom (K-1) event, finishing 16th in the semifinals. Soudi will have another chance to compete in the Contre-la-monte event today.

In surfing, Ramzi Boukhiam showcased a solid performance but was eliminated in the third round by Brazil’s Joao Chianca. Despite a close match, with Boukhiam scoring 17.80 points against Chianca’s 18.10, the Moroccan surfer’s journey in the competition came to an end.

The Moroccan boxing team has also faced setbacks, with Widad Bertal being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the women’s 54kg category after losing to North Korea’s Pang Chol-mi by a unanimous decision (4-0). Khadija El Mardi remains in contention, set to face Australia’s Caitlin Parker in the quarterfinals of the women’s 75kg category, while Yasmine Mouttaki was eliminated in the round of 16 in the women’s 50kg category by the Philippines’ Aira Villegas.

Essayi's qualification serves as a testament to his resilience and strategic prowess, offering a glimmer of hope for Morocco's Olympic aspirations. As the nation looks forward to the semifinals, the anticipation builds for what could be a defining moment in Moroccan athletic history.