Iguider leads the Moroccan charge in 1500m at Doha 2010

From David Jordan, Sportsbeat, in Doha

 FORMER world junior champion Abdelati Iguider led the Moroccan charge for 1500m glory at the World Indoor Athletics Championships, romping home in the fastest qualifying time in Doha.

IMPRESSIVE: Abdelati Iguider is the one to watch after impressing during 1500m qualifying at the World Indoor Athletics Championships (Getty Images)

Iguider, 22, saved the best until last after two pedestrian heats, clocking 3:37.14 minutes with a storming finish to heat three.

He is joined in the reckoning by compatriot Amine Laalou, who set a new personal best of 3:39.96 to take victory in the opening heat while defending champion Deresse Mekonnen of Ethiopia, the fastest man in the world this year, crossed the line first in heat two.

"I came here to repeat my victory from Valencia," Mekonnen said. "I ran on the first place from the start because I wanted to have everything under control.

"Qualification is always much tougher for me than the final. I feel self confident, I am focusing only on my performance and not thinking about the other runners. This year, I have the best conditions for training and I feel I can win."

Also to progress was Ethiopia's Mekonnen Gebremedhin, who was second to Iguider while Haron Keitany was the only Kenyan to advance to the final.

Great Britain's Tim Bayley finished fifth in his heat in 3:42.57 and failed to book his place in the final.

In the women's event Kalkidan Gezahegne of Ethiopia produced a remarkable comeback to clinch victory in the second heat of the women's 1500m.

The 18-year-old fell with approximately 600m remaining and lost significant ground on the rest of the field but she roared back like a woman possessed to take the spoils in 4:08.91.

"I accidentally fell and hurt my knee," said Gezahegne, the 2008 world junior silver medalist who reached last year's world final in Berlin. "I decided to continue. The crowd supported me and thanks to good training I was able to finish."

She looks to battle it out for gold with defending champion and compatriot Gelete Burka, who eased home in the first heat in 4:12.08 ahead of Russia's Anna Alminova.

"I want to to be successful in Doha and get over the memories of Berlin where I was a victim of a fall," said Burka. "I am confident and I will be fighting for the win."

Great Britain's Helen Clitheroe was made to sweat for her place in the final, having finished fourth in the first heat but she had done enough to advance as a fastest loser although Charlotte Best could only manage eighth place in the second race.

Aviva has been proud to have helped and supported the Aviva GB & NI junior, senior and disability teams as they prepare for all major events and championships since 1999. Visit www.aviva.co.uk/athletics for more information