Six Arab runners reached the semi-finals in the 800 meters at the 18th World Championships in Athletics in Eugene, USA.

The runners are Moroccans Maad Zahafi, Al-Hassan Mujahid and Abdel-Ati Al-Kass, Algerians Jamal Sajati and Suleiman Mawla and Tunisian Abdel Salam Oyuni, and another Algerian Yassin Hathat could not catch up with them.

Zahafi led the third group, Sajjati the fourth and Maula the final sixth, while Mujahid finished second in the first and Oyuni and Al-Kass third in the fourth and sixth respectively.

Zahafi, clocking 1:46.15, said: “I am happy to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time. I participated in the 2019 Doha World Championships and I didn’t manage to get past the first round. I feel in good shape, I have a lot of enthusiasm and I can achieve a better result. I can. Reach the final and why not win a medal.”

“After hitting 1:43 last April, I know I can fight for a medal,” he added.

Sajjati followed Zahafi’s lead and led the fourth group with a time of 1:46.39, ahead of Dutchman Tony van Diepen (1:46.39h) and Tunisian Oyuni (1:46.59h).

Mola established himself firmly in the sixth group and finished in first place with a time of 1:44.90 minutes, ahead of Kenyan Mikhaelaev Kenyamal Kisasai (1:45.08 minutes) and Moroccan Al-Kass (1:45.25 minutes).

Mujahid finished second in the first group qualifying with a time of 1:49.29 minutes behind Kenyan Emmanuel Kipkirui Corrier, the reigning champion and leader (1:49.05 d).

The top three in the six qualifying groups advanced directly to the semi-finals, along with the top six players after them.

The semi-finals will take place tonight and the finals are scheduled for Saturday.