For the first time in Jamaica’s history, two male runners are in the semi-finals of the 800m at the World Athletics Championship as Tyrice Taylor and Navasky Anderson both advanced with good runs in Tokyo on Tuesday.

While Jamaica is known for its dominance in sprinting events, the 800m has been a different story, as over the years, Jamaica struggled to qualify runners to the event.

In 2023, Anderson made it to the semi-final, where he finished seventh, and he was back at it this time, finishing third in his heat in 1:44.87.

The race was won by Max Burgin of Britain in 1:44.73 just ahead of Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela, who was second in 1:44.74.

Taylor has been in good form following his bronze medal at the NACAC Championships in early August, where he ran 1:43.74.

He carried that form forward and was third in his heat, clocking 1:45.13 behind the winner Cian McPhillips of Ireland, who won in 1:44.91.

All of the top contenders made it safely through the first round, led by Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Donavan Brazier and Mohamed Attaoui, all winning their respective heats.