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Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala lost in the quarter-finals in Tokyo on Friday and said she had "high motivation" to finish her breakthrough season with a bang next week in Hong Kong.Eala lost 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 against Russian number three seed Diana Shnaider in her debut appearance at the Pan Pacific Open.The world number 19 has one more tournament left in a season that saw her become the first player from the Philippines to win a title on the women's WTA Tour in Washington in August.Eala will be among the favourites for the title in Hong Kong, and she said she was not in the mood to look back on her achievements yet."I'm super excited, and I'm going in with high motivation," said the 21-year-old."I'm trying to put my reflections off for one more week because of said motivation. Check back in a week."Eala won five straight games to take control of the first set, but the second set was a far closer affair.Neither player managed to break their opponent's serve, but world number 13 Shnaider edged the tie-breaker.Shnaider went a break up early in the third set and Eala needed treatment on her right foot before the Russian clinched the match with an ace.Eala said the match had been "a huge battle"."Both of us could take the match to a really, really high level," she said."I'm proud of that despite the loss, but I do think I had my chances."Next time, hopefully do better in those moments," she added.Eala was again backed by a large, passionate group of Philippines fans.She was playing in Japan for the second time in two months after reaching the semi-finals at the Asian Games in Nagoya."To be in front of the crowd and to play in this atmosphere is always super special," she said."I love Japan as a whole, whether I'm here for tennis or not, so I really had fun."Shnaider will play Mia Pohankova in the semi-finals after the 18-year-old Slovakian beat American Alycia Parks 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova will play Canada's Leylah Fernandez in the other semi-final.Fernandez advanced when world number one Elena Rybakina withdrew with a neck injury. 

Philippine sensation Alexandra Eala came from behind to beat Talia Gibson 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 in Tokyo on Wednesday and said "it took a lot to turn that match around".The world number 19's recent run of early tournament exits looked in danger of continuing when Australia's Gibson, ranked 38, took the first set at the Pan Pacific Open.But Eala dug in and evened the match before hitting top gear in a dominating third set.The 21-year-old said the turnaround had been "a gradual increase of level"."Maybe just a couple of small details that when accumulated make a big difference," she said."In one 30-all I went more for my shot or in one deuce I did so and so."Those little details when all summed up, that's the difference."Eala faces Russian third seed Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals.She became the first player from the Philippines to win a title on the women's WTA Tour in August and her every move is big news at home.Eala was again backed by passionate support in Tokyo but she was on the ropes in the first set as Gibson punished her for missing chances.She began her comeback in the second set but she still let her opponent off the hook on several occasions.Eala went from strength to strength as the match moved into the final set and closed it out when Gibson dumped a shot into the net.She hit nine aces and broke Gibson's serve six times in the match."Of course the support helps a lot all the time," said Eala."It creates a great atmosphere and I think there was a bit of back and forth within the crowd."You want to be present, you're very invested in the match so it comes naturally to focus."Shnaider beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 to book her place in the quarter-finals.World number one Elena Rybakina plays her opening match on Thursday when she takes on fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva.Home favourite Naomi Osaka is also in action against Slovakian wild card Mia Pohankova. 

A week into the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, public enthusiasm appears muted, with swathes of empty seats greeting athletes across several key venues in Japan's first major multi-sport event since the pandemic-hit Tokyo Olympics.Five years after the Tokyo Games were held largely behind closed doors under strict COVID-19 protocols, it was expected that pent-up domestic demand for live sport would fill the stands at the continental showpiece.That, however, has not been the case.Sections of Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium were empty during the opening ceremony on September 19, although the Olympic Council of Asia attributed some of the vacant seats to warnings of an approaching typhoon.Organisers, however, maintained that ticket interest remained robust."Tickets for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya have sold strongly, with the Opening Ceremony and 13 sports surpassing a 90% sales rate," the organisers said in a statement on Friday."While demand has been high across most of the programme, tickets remain widely available for football, baseball, hockey and cricket events being staged in larger venues," it added.The picture inside many arenas has been less encouraging. Badminton players and gymnasts have competed in front of largely empty stands, while crowds at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre have remained sparse despite world-class performances in the pool.China's 13-year-old swimming sensation Yu Zidi claimed three golds in her fairytale Asian Games debut, while Japanese prodigy Shin Ohashi shattered the men's 200 metres breaststroke world record. Even the exploits of two of the sport's brightest young talents, however, failed to draw a full house.Organisers have also faced the challenge of generating interest in sports with a limited following in Japan, such as cricket, in a country where baseball dominates the sporting landscape.At the Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin City, spectators were given free leaflets explaining the basics of cricket. 

* Kojima sets Games record in men's 400 metres individual medley* India claim first gold as women thrash Sri Lanka in cricket* South Korea blast organisers over logistics failuresAt an Asian Games pool entranced by China's 13-year-old Yu Zidi, hosts Japan hailed their own teen prodigy on Tuesday as Yumeki Kojima powered to medley gold in a swim that made French great Leon Marchand sit up and take notice.The 17-year-old Kojima's triumph in the men's 400 metres individual medley set a Games record of four minutes 7.02 seconds at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, topping the 12-year-old mark of Kosuke Hagino, one of Japan's favourite swimming sons.World record holder Marchand was at the pool giving a swimming clinic for local children but Kojima hopes one day to school the four-times Olympic champion."Marchand is the athlete I’m aiming for the most. I want to close the gap on him little by little and, one day, be able to beat him," said Kojima, who also rewrote his world junior record.Highlighted by schoolgirl Yu's two individual golds, China have dominated the pool at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, and they continued in that vein on day three of full competition.Peng Xuwei grabbed another title for the swimming superpower in the women's 200m backstroke in an Asian record 2:05.77 to smash the previous mark (2:06.46) of compatriot Zhao Jing.SHOOTING WORLD RECORDChina may struggle to match their record of 201 golds from their home Games in Hangzhou three years ago but record-breaking shooters Sheng Lihao and Wang Zifei won't be to blame.Olympic champion Sheng claimed his third gold at Nagoya alongside Wang in the 10m air rifle mixed team event as they combined for a world-record score of 507.1.Sheng, a double gold medallist at Hangzhou, had already swept the individual and men's team titles in the 10m air rifle earlier in the competition.Afghanistan celebrated a maiden cycling medal won by a woman who once disguised herself as a man when training in the nation and ultimately fled the Taliban when they returned to power.Fariba Hashimi said her silver behind China's Guo Li in the road event showed the resilience of Afghan women."I hope that the next generation will come here and represent their country without any fear," said the Italy-based cyclist."They took away our freedom, they took away everything from us."India's wait for a first gold medal ended on Tuesday as their women's team crushed Sri Lanka by 147 runs to claim the T20 title, led by 79 from veteran opener Smriti Mandhana. Pakistan beat Bangladesh for bronze.India will be backed for the men's gold as well but the team nearly fell to a stunning defeat in a rain-hit T20 against Japan on the Games' sidelines.With the match reduced to five overs per side, Japan fell two runs short of an historic upset."Honestly speaking, it was a very difficult wicket to bat on," said India captain Shreyas Iyer, India's only batter to reach double figures (16).LOGISTICS PROBLEMSOutside the competition venues, organisers were on the defensive over accommodation and logistics problems that blighted the event's buildup.South Korea's team chef de mission said athletes had paid the price for cost-cutting measures in a rebuke of the Games' management.An Aichi-Nagoya organising committee official apologised.A South Korean media report said two members of North Korea's 180-strong Asian Games delegation in Japan were looking to seek asylum, citing a source from Japan's Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office.Reuters was unable to confirm the report and Asian Games organisers did not provide immediate comment.China's teenage phenomenon Yu is set to return to the pool on day four on Wednesday in pursuit of a third individual title in the 400m medley, while hosts Japan face a gymnastics showdown with China for the men's and women's team golds. 

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games officially begins on Saturday.Following are some facts and figures about the 20th edition of the quadrennial multi-sport event:* This year's edition runs from September 19 to October 4, although competition began on September 10 with the start of the men's basketball tournament.* Japan is hosting the Games for the third time, having previously staged the event in Tokyo in 1958 and in Hiroshima in 1994. It was one of 11 participating countries in the first Asian Games held in 1951.* Organisers had budgeted for around 15,000 athletes and officials from 45 participating countries and regions, but registrations swelled to about 17,000, putting a strain on accommodation availability.* There will be 469 medal events in 43 sports, up from the 40 sports contested at the previous edition in Hangzhou three years ago.* Competitions will be spread across Aichi Prefecture and other parts of Japan, with Tokyo hosting the swimming events and Osaka among the cities staging the football tournament.* Aichi-Nagoya will feature several Asian Games newcomers, including mixed martial arts, padel and surfing, as well as virtual taekwondo and teqball, which combines aspects of football and table tennis.* Chess, go, Chinese chess (xiangqi) and bridge, all of which previously featured on the Asian Games programme, have been dropped for Aichi-Nagoya, along with dragon boat racing, roller skating and marathon swimming (open water swimming).* Esports, which was a demonstration sport at the 2018 Asian Games before making its medal debut in Hangzhou, has been retained on the programme. Breaking, also known as breakdancing, which made its Games debut in Hangzhou, will also feature.* The Aichi-Nagoya Games will also serve as a qualifying route for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with athletes able to secure direct quota places in archery, hockey, sailing, squash, surfing, tennis and triathlon.* China has topped the Asian Games medal table at every edition since 1982. At Hangzhou, the hosts secured a record-breaking 201 gold medals. Japan were second with 52, followed by South Korea with 42. 

Four workers were killed on Thursday morning after being struck by an express train while carrying out maintenance work on the tracks at a train station in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo.Japanese public broadcaster (NHK) reported that the four workers were on the tracks to remove weeds when the accident occurred on Thursday morning at Shin-Kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line.The four were taken to the hospital unconscious and were later pronounced dead.Police and firefighters are investigating the details of the incident.

China expressed deep shock and said it had lodged a protest Tuesday after a man described as a member of Japan's Self-Defense Forces broke into its Tokyo embassy and threatened to kill diplomats.The incident further soured relations between Beijing and Tokyo that have suffered since comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about the self-ruled island of Taiwan.Japan's national broadcaster NHK said the man had entered the heavily guarded embassy grounds on Tuesday morning and that a knife was later found at the scene.NHK, citing unidentified investigation sources, said no one was hurt but added that the man was "believed to be a member of the Ground Self-Defense Force".However, China's foreign ministry said the unidentified man had threatened to kill Chinese diplomats.A ministry spokesman told a scheduled news conference in Beijing that the intruder had scaled the embassy walls before he was apprehended."The individual admitted that his actions were unlawful and threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel 'in the name of God'," spokesman Lin Jian said."The Chinese side is deeply shocked by this incident and has lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with the Japanese side," he said.Police in Tokyo could not be reached immediately for comment.Japan's Defense Ministry said it was aware of the incident but declined to comment further, citing an ongoing investigation.Lin demanded that Tokyo investigate the incident thoroughly.Ties between Japan and China have deteriorated since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Japan might intervene militarily in any Chinese attempt to take Taiwan.China, which regards the democratic island as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to annex it, was furious over the comments.It summoned Tokyo's ambassador and warned Chinese citizens against visiting Japan, with tourism numbers plummeting since then. 

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson will take to the track in Torun, Poland, this weekend aiming to nab an elusive world indoor 800m title off the back of a new world record. Untimely injuries have prevented the 24-year-old from taking part in the past three editions of the world indoors.But the Briton, who earned Tokyo Olympic silver and Paris Olympic gold and who has two world outdoor silver medals and a bronze, now appears to be in perfect shape. Hodgkinson smashed the indoor 800m world record by almost a second last month and said Thursday she would have been "quite happy" had the outdoor season already kicked off. That would raise the mouth-watering possibility of her going after the oldest world record in athletics - the 1min 53.28sec for the outdoor 800m set by Jarmila Kratochvilova of the then-Czechoslovakia in 1983. There was no such talk of that in Torun, but Hodgkinson seemed in confident mood."I did think it was very much possible," she said of her indoor world record. "When I started my preparations for this indoor season, I didn't really actually set any goals or anything. I just wanted to enjoy the process of getting fit and seeing how far we could go in training. And the closer we got to the day, I was like, 'Yeah, this is on, I can do this'."'Chill time'Months on the sidelines in rehab for knee and hamstring injuries had allowed Hodgkinson to learn a lot about herself, she said."I had time off the track to just enjoy my life and just have some chill time, and I think it's made me a better athlete."It made competing for me that much more fun and exciting. So yeah, frustrating at the time, but I wouldn't change anything."Turning to the world indoor title, Hodgkinson said: "It's the one medal I don't have. So that would be really great to box that one off."Until I've crossed the finish line, I'm not going to jinx anything. But yeah, I'm excited to be here, excited to compete."Fast times are obviously really great, but championships are just completely different, and having three rounds in three days is another thing. That's really tough. I've done it before, but I'd quite like to have a day off!"Competition looks great, and we'll see what happens."Hodgkinson added that she was "very happy with where I am"."I'm looking forward to it, and this last month, it's been great. I couldn't ask to be in a better position, to be honest." 

Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele successfully defended his Tokyo Marathon title Sunday, edging Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich in a sprint finish to cross the line in 2hr 3min 37sec. Takele finished with the same official time as Toroitich after a dramatic battle for the line, with Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso just one second further behind in third place. “I knew that the final stage would be decisive,” said the 23-year-old Takele. “Around 41km I wanted to wait and see what would happen and then I made my move right before the finish.” Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei won the women’s race in 2:14:29, a new course record. Ethiopia’s Berukan Welde was second in 2:16:36, followed by her countrywoman Hawi Feysa in 2:17:39. In warm, dry conditions in the Japanese capital, a men’s leading pack including Takele, Toroitich, Mutiso and Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko broke away around the 37km mark. Takele made a late move and managed to stay in front despite a last-gasp challenge from Toroitich. “Today’s race was a great one,” said Takele. “There was intense and positive competition, and I’m truly happy that I was able to win.” The men’s field was weakened by the withdrawal through injury of Kenya’s Timothy Kiplagat and Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha in the lead-up to the race. In the women’s competition, Kosgei was in a class of her own and finished more than two minutes clear of her nearest rival. Kosgei, the Tokyo Marathon champion and Olympic silver medallist in 2021, has said she will compete for Turkey at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. “We have a lot of athletes in Kenya,” said Kosgei. “I want some young generation to follow my step to join me in Turkey.” 

China has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, following a diplomatic feud sparked by remarks from Tokyo’s new premier about a hypothetical attack on Taiwan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on November 7 that use of force against the self-ruled island claimed by China could warrant a military response from Tokyo. On Friday, Beijing said that it had summoned Japan’s ambassador, while Tokyo said it had summoned China’s ambassador after an “inappropriate” and now-removed online post. Tokyo has since said its position on Taiwan, just 100km from the nearest Japanese island, is unchanged. In an online post late Friday, China’s embassy in Japan warned its citizens against travelling to the country. “Recently, Japanese leaders have made blatantly provocative remarks regarding Taiwan, severely damaging the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges,” the WeChat post said. The situation presents “significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan”, it added. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Japan solemnly remind Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan in the near future.” **media[382304]** Reacting to the statement, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters Saturday that Beijing’s call was “inconsistent with the promotion of a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship”, Jiji Press reported. The Japanese government has requested the Chinese side to take “appropriate measures”, Jiji reported. In a further development Saturday, China’s largest airlines offered full refunds for flights on Japan routes before the end of the year. Air China, China Southern and China Eastern all published separate statements on the policies, which will allow ticket holders to refund or change Japan itineraries free of charge for flights from Saturday through December 31. Beijing insists Taiwan, which Japan occupied for decades until 1945, is part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to seize control. China and Japan are key trading partners, but historical mistrust and friction over territorial rivalries and military spending often test those ties. Takaichi, a conservative and China hawk, has toned down her rhetoric since assuming office last month. But just weeks into her administration, the neighbours are at odds. Addressing parliament on November 7, Takaichi said that an armed attack on Taiwan could warrant sending troops to the island under “collective self-defence”. If an emergency in Taiwan entails “battleships and the use of force, then that could constitute a situation threatening the survival (of Japan), any way you slice it”, she said. Security legislation passed in 2015 allows Japan to exercise the right to “collective self-defence” under certain conditions including if there was a clear danger to the country’s survival. **media[382305]** Despite the escalating diplomatic spat, Takaichi has indicated she has no intention of retracting her statement and insisted it was consistent with Tokyo’s long-standing policy. But she said she would refrain from referring to specific scenarios in the future. Previous Japanese prime ministers have avoided commenting directly on Taiwan’s defence, choosing instead to maintain so-called strategic ambiguity. The United States has also long been deliberately ambiguous on whether it would deploy its military to defend Taiwan. The most recent row escalated last weekend when the Chinese consul general in Osaka, Xue Jian, posted about “(cutting) off that dirty neck”, apparently referring to Takaichi. Japan lodged a protest over the since-removed social media post, and Takaichi’s ruling party passed a resolution calling for the envoy to be declared persona non grata. Before taking power, Takaichi, an acolyte of ex-premier Shinzo Abe, was a vocal critic of China and its military build-up in the Asia-Pacific. Takaichi has visited Taiwan in the past and met Taipei’s representative at a recent Apec summit, where she also held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The beauty of sport is its ability to surprise and Isaac Nader produced one of the biggest ever in international 1,500 metres finals as he won the world title Wednesday while Katie Moon was a more predictable winner of a third successive pole vault crown.Portugal had never had a medallist in the 1,500m but Nader's storming run in the home straight was enough for the 24-year-old to deny Jake Wightman of Britain a second title. "Some people criticised me and said I would never achieve this but here I am – world champion and the first Portuguese athlete to win a global gold in the 1,500m," said a beaming Nader.While Wightman celebrated his silver after an injury-plagued three years since he won the title in 2022, there was misery for reigning champion Josh Kerr after the Briton was left hopping along midway through the race, apparently with an injury.Even at 34, Moon is pretty much unbeatable in an event that has failed to match the heights of the men's event in which Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis broke the world record for the 14th time in Tokyo. Moon triumphed with a best vault of 4.90 metres, a considerable 16 centimetres shy of the world record set by Yelena Isinbayeva 16 years ago."It feels fun watching girls getting in shape in real life," said Moon. "I am 34 now and I have seen several athletes come in young and blossom. All my medals are special but this one is the one. The older you get, it gets harder."The men's long jump went to Italian Mattia Furlani, 20, who confirmed his Olympic bronze last year was no fluke with a winning effort of 8.39m. Defending champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece was totally out of sorts and finished 11th.One lesson to be learned is beware Kenyan women distance athletes called Faith. Faith Kipyegon romped to the 1500m title on Tuesday and Wednesday it was the turn of Faith Cherotich to triumph in the 3,000m steeplechase.Femke Bol has had the misfortune to compete in the 400m hurdes at a time when the phenomenon that is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been around.McLaughlin-Levrone, though, has turned her attention to the 400m flat and is favourite to add that world title to her tally Thursday.Bol, three times a minor medallist behind the American, can take advantage of her absence to retain her world crown, just as she did in the 2023 championships. Bol had far too much pace in her semi-final for former Olympic and world champion Dalilah Muhammad, who at 35 is 10 years older than the Dutchwoman.The climax to the men's event is a rematch of the three medallists from the 2021 Olympic final in Tokyo. Karsten Warholm, who set a memorable world record on that scorching day, takes on runner-up Rai Benjamin, who avenged that defeat in winning Olympic gold in Paris last year, with bronze medallist, 2022 world champion Alison dos Santos, completing the trio.The stage is set for perhaps the most keenly awaited clash in the field events, the men's javelin final Thursday, between Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan and the man he deposed in Paris last year India's Neeraj Chopra. However, the script came close to being torn up by Nadeem until he saved face in qualifying with his third and final throw.Chopra feels right at home in the stadium where he won Olympic gold four years ago, albeit with empty stands owing to Covid restrictions. "That Olympic gold medal changed everything for me," he said. "After winning it, I started to believe in myself."Nadeem may have pulled it out of the fire but it was not the case for another Olympic champion, Spanish triple jumper Jordan Diaz. The 24-year-old's dream of a full house of titles, he is also European champion, ended, as he pulled up with a quadriceps injury in qualifying.All the favourites in the men's and women's 200m – in which Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is bidding to become the first to achieve the individual sprint double since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013 – eased into semi-finals.Joining them is 17-year-old Australian Gout Gout, of whom great things are expected. The Australia-born son of South Sudanese parents took his first experience of a global championships in his long stride. "It's a great experience for me, running against the big dogs," said Gout. After the action was followed by big crowds early in the champions, Wednesday's action attracted just shy of 36,000, leaving thousands of empty seats.

Beatrice Chebet won the 10,000m world title while the cream of sprinting delighted a sellout 55,000 crowd at the world championships Saturday – a stark contrast to the empty stadium at the Covid-affected Tokyo Games in 2021.Chebet, 25, added the world title to her Olympic crown in Paris last year where the Kenyan also won the 5,000m. “I wanted that gold medal so much,” she said. “I have never won a gold at the world championships so I was sure I had to get it.”That was one of several titles on offer, giving a gentle lead-in to the finals of the men’s and women’s blue riband event, the 100m, Sunday.Ryan Crouser proved he has no equal in the shot put as despite missing the outdoor season through injury he became the second man – after Werner Guenthoer over 30 years ago – to be crowned world outdoor champion on three successive occasions. “This is my first time throwing hard since September last year, (so) this one is the one I am most proud of,” said Crouser.There was also gold for the American 4x400m mixed relay team, avenging their defeat by the Netherlands in last year’s Olympic final. The Dutch, anchored by 400m hurdles favourite Femke Bol, had to be satisfied with silver.All the favourites wasted little energy in qualifying for Sunday’s men’s 100m semi-finals. Olympic champion Noah Lyles and the Jamaican who lost out to him by the slimmest of margins at the Paris Olympics, Kishane Thompson, look in prime form despite the championships coming at the end of the season.Lyles did not enjoy his previous, crowdless experience in Tokyo but he is a different person four years later and put on a show for his audience. “As you know, it was a bit echoing back then and this time there is all the atmosphere, whistles and children cheering for me,” he said. “It really feels good to be back. This is the best form I have ever been in my life. I am bringing special things here.”Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo and two-time Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek also impressed. Bednarek, who pushed Lyles in the back and accused him of showing disrespect at the US trials, will hope he remembers every bit of kit Sunday having left his spikes in the United States. “I am just a clumsy dude,” he said.Women’s 100m Olympic champion Julien Alfred laid down the law in her heat, storming out of the blocks and the Saint Lucia star cantered over the line in 10.93sec. Defending world champion Sha’Carri Richardson had a far stronger heat, including two-time 200m world champion Shericka Jackson, but neither had to over-exert themselves as they eased into the semi-finals.Jackson’s legendary compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is also through but remains an outsider to add to her ten world golds and make it a fairytale farewell. On form alone, Alfred’s biggest threat is American champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. Third behind Alfred in last year’s Olympic final, the 24-year-old said she could cope with a change in expectations from a minor medal prospect to one of the title favourites. “I already hold myself to a really high standard and expectations, so the pressures of the outside world, I really don’’t feel them,” she said. “I try to make sure I go out there and focus on Melissa, focus on what I can do and run my races to the best of my ability.”Edmund Serem is just 17 but the Kenyan showed he is a real title prospect. He kept his head after an early mistake in the 3,000m steeplechase and went on to win his heat –even having the time to join his hands together and hold them in front of his face as he crossed the line. However, he will have to go some to beat two-time defending champion Sofiane El Bakkali – Morocco’s two-time Olympic gold medallist coasted through his heat.