Athletics: NZ's Willis and Blincoe into world semis

New Zealand runners Nick Willis and Adrian Blincoe have qualified for the semifinals of the 1500 metres on the opening day of the world athletics championships in Helsinki.

While he was 10th fastest in his heat, Blincoe's time of 3 minutes 59 point 54 seconds qualifies him in 11th place.

Willis has run 3.39.89 in finishing third in his heat and 13th quickest

Meanwhile Kimberley Smith has placed 15th in the women's 10,000 metres, in 31 minutes 24 point 29.

Olympic champion Justin Gatlin is confident of winning the gold medal after qualifying for the 100 metres semifinals.

Defending world champion Kim Collins, however, scraped into the next round as a fastest loser by just 0.02 seconds.

Gatlin is favourite for the title after world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica pulled out of the event with a groin injury.

Meanwhile defending women's heptathlon champion Carolina Kluft recovered from a below par start to narrow Eunice Barber's advantage after three events.

Nursing an ankle injury, Kluft trails Barber by 32 points on 2,961, closing the gap after the Frenchwoman scorched to an early 153 point lead.

- NEWSTALK ZB