Day 4 of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo is packed with excitement, featuring four major finals. 

All eyes are on Kenya’s star athletes: Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who is expected to push for a new world record in the men’s 800m heats, and Faith Kipyegon, who is aiming for a historic fourth world title in the women’s 1500m final. 

Meanwhile, the men’s high jump final promises a thrilling showdown between New Zealand’s Olympic champion Hamish Kerr and Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk. 

It’s a day filled with high-stakes competition and potential for record-breaking performances.

The men’s 800m heats could be a highlight of the championships. 

All eyes are on Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi, a 21-year-old Olympic champion who aims to threaten the world record of 1:40.91 set by David Rudisha in 2012. 

Wanyonyi, the 2023 world silver medalist, has been in dominant form this season, even though he’s up against formidable opponents like defending world champion Marco Arop of Canada and Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, an Olympic bronze medalist.

The U.S. also brings a strong contingent, including 2019 champion Donavan Brazier and 16-year-old prodigy Cooper Lutkenhaus, the youngest American to compete at the Worlds. 

The depth of talent in this event, with three Americans among the top seven seeds, makes it one to watch.

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon is on a mission to make history. 

The 31-year-old middle-distance legend is chasing her fourth world title in the 1500m. 

She’s already a three-time Olympic champion and a four-time world champion (including a 5000m title). 

With a freshly ratified world record of 3:48.68, Kipyegon is in top form and has cruised through the heats.

Kipyegon isn’t alone; she’s part of a powerful Kenyan team that includes teammates Nelly Chepchirchir and Dorcas Ewoi, who could potentially sweep the podium. 

While competitors like Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji and Britain’s Georgia Bell will try to challenge her, Kipyegon’s unbeaten streak in major 1500m finals since 2015 makes her the undisputed favorite. 

Her potential win would not only be a personal milestone but also a testament to Kenya’s dominance in middle-distance running.

In the men’s high jump, New Zealand’s Olympic gold medalist Hamish Kerr faces a major challenge from Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk. 

Kerr, 28, is competing in his first successful World Championships qualification after previous attempts fell short. 

Doroshchuk, 24, who has trained amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, has shown incredible resilience and confidence, topping the qualifiers.

This final also includes American Tyus Wilson and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi, but the rivalry between Kerr and Doroshchuk is expected to be the main event. 

It will be a battle of wills and technique to see who can jump highest for the title.