Tokyo - Slovenia's Maruša Mišmaš Zrimšek made it to the finals in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase in Tokyo. By clocking 9:23.36, she was second in the third group and tenth overall, thus securing a place in the finals on Wednesday.

In her debut appearance at the Olympics, Mišmaš Zrimšek was in the lead after the first kilometre and seventh in the leading group after two kilometres. She started the sixth round in third place, which she retained also after the last water jump.

Then she advanced to the second place, which she kept until the finish line. Only Kenyan Hyvin Kiyeng (9:23.17) was faster, and the top three from each group and six the fastest runners advanced to the finals.

"My goal today was to be among the top three and go straight into the finals. I have one check and now I have three days to rest and prepare for the finals," the 26-year-old from Kamnik said, adding it was hard to run in the heat of 38 degrees Celsius.