The T11 5000m world record holder who is ranked number one in the world in 2019 is considered as the favourite to win gold in the United Arab Emirates, although she did not qualify with the fastest time on Thursday morning.

Coetzee and her guide, Xavier Adams, ran in the first heat, where she finished in second in a time of 4:59.22. Kenya’s Nancy Chelangat Koech ran a seasons’ best time of 4:58.50 to win the heat.

The reigning Paralympic champion and world record holder, Jin Zheng of China, was meant to run in heat one, however, she did not start.

The second heat in the event was without a doubt the fastest of the two by some margin.

The second heat was won by Mexico’s Monica Olivia Rodriguez Saavedra in 4:53.63 to enter the final as the fastest qualifier.

Kenya’s Mary Waithera Njoroge ran in second in a time of 4:54.84, followed by Spain's Susana Rodriguez Gacio in 4:55.38. China's Shanshan He finished in fourth in a time of 4:56.82 to qualify.

The first two athletes in each heat qualified automatically, followed by the next two fastest to make up the six athlete final.

The T11 1500m final is scheduled for 17:41 on Friday evening.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport