Halima Nakaayi sails to 800m semi-finals in first position

The victor of the 2019 Doha World Championship, Nakaayi, is determined to surpass her previous record, especially after an unanticipated absence from the finals in Oregon last year.

Her eighth-place finish, clocking in at 2:01.05, has only fueled her determination to excel.

Meanwhile, reigning world champion Athing Mu, who dominated in Oregon, continued her formidable streak by topping her heat with a time of 1:59.59. She outshone Natoya Goule-Toppin of Jamaica (1:59.64) and Lore Hoffmann of Switzerland (2:00.14), securing a semi-final spot.

Athing Mu's participation in the championships took a turn after a contemplative moment, ultimately choosing to grace the track in Budapest.

Kenya's world bronze medalist, Mary Moraa, won in her heat, clocking in at 1:59.89.

The USA's Raevyn Rogers followed closely with a time of 2:00.06. Ethiopia's Worknesh Mesele secured her passage to the next round with a third-place finish, posting a time of 2:00.13.

Maintaining her status as the world leader, Keely Hodgkinson, who also holds both world and Olympic silver medals, triumphed in her heat with a time of 1:59.53. She narrowly outpaced South Africa's Prudence Sekgodiso.

The swiftest time in the heats was set by Nia Akins from the USA, who finished with an impressive time of 1:59.19.

As the competition intensifies, Nakaayi is poised to face formidable adversaries in Hodgkinson, Moraa, and Athing Mu, as they all vie for the coveted gold medal.