KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Aisha Praught has advanced in the women’s 3000m steeplechase as one of the six fastest losers.

Ironically, Praught’s 9:26.37 fourth place finish in the second heat was the fastest time going into Friday’s final.

Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya and reigning Olympic champion Ruth Jebet of Bahrain won that heat from the get-go, qualifying in 9:19.03 and 9:19.52 respectively.

Third was USA’s Celliphine Chepteek Chespol in 9:25.14.

Meanwhile, German Gesa Felicitas Krause, who won a bronze medal in the 3000m steeplechase two years ago, ran the shortest line the entire time to win the first heat. She snuck through on the inside to power away in 9:39.86 while reigning champion Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi of Kenya also eased through in second, stopping the clock at 9:39.89.

Fellow Kenyan, Purity Cherotich Kirui, was third in 9:40.53.

Ethiopia’s Sofia Assefa, a silver medallist from the Olympics five years ago, missed out in the sprint, finishing fifth in 9:40.88. That time was not fast enough to qualify her as a non-automatic qualifier.

Kenya’s Celliphine Chepteek Chespol won heat three in 9:27.35, while second place went to Emma Corburn of the USA in a time of 9:27.42 and third was Genevieve Lacaze of Australia in 9:27.53.

The other fast losers were Winfred Mutile Yavi of Bahrain (9:28.00), Etenesh Diro of Ethiopia (9:31. 87), Canada’s Genevieve Lalonde (9:31.81), Birtukan Fente of Ethiopia (9:33.99) and Belen Casetta of Argentina (9:35.78).