Wyclife Kinyamal, Timothy Cheruiyot and Beatrice Chepkoech all won their races in majestic style at the 2018 Shanghai Grand Prix held on Saturday May 13.
Excellent start for Kinyamal
Kenya’s new 800m ace Wycliffe Kinyamal continued with the flying start to his career when he won the 2018 Shanghai Diamond League race. Compatriot Jonathan Kitilit was second. With 150m to go, the Kenyan duo were well ahead of the rest of the pack. They struggled through the last 50m as their muscles tied up but still finished well ahead of the rest. In the process Kinyamal set a personal best at 1:43.91
Not much was known about the 21 year old Kinyamal until he won the 800m at the 2018 Commonwealth games. In 2017 he recorded his first major win at the 53rd edition of the Palio della Quercia Memorial Edo Benedetti in Rovereto.
Kinyamal who comes from the same village as Rudisha, sees a bright future for himself.
“A PB and meeting record, the race was fine,” demurred Kinyamal. “We were fighting for the last 100 metres, but I was stronger and I knew it. I come from the same village as Rudisha, he was always my example. Now I take over.”
Veteran Polish runner Marcin Lewandowski was a distant third while world championships bronze medalist Clayton Murphy was 6th.
800m Results
| POS | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wycliffe Kinyamal | KEN | 1:43.91 | 8 |
| 2 | Jonathan Kitilit | KEN | 1:43.95 | 7 |
| 3 | Marcin Lewandowski | POL | 1:45.41 | 6 |
| 4 | Antoine Gakeme | BDI | 1:45.73 | 5 |
| 5 | Brandon McBride | CAN | 1:45.78 | 4 |
| 6 | Clayton Murphy | USA | 1:45.97 | 3 |
| 7 | Andrew Osagie | GBR | 1:46.36 | 2 |
| 8 | Rynardt van Rensburg | RSA | 1:46.57 | 1 |
| 9 | Solomon Lekuta | KEN | 1:47.51 |
Race Video
Cheruiyot Victorious in the 1500m
World Championships silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot, outsprinted Ethiopian Samuel Tefera in the last 50m. Tefera seemed destined for an upset win with 150m to go before Cheruiyot started to close him down, finally passing him in the last 50m.
“I was sure I was going to win the race,” he said. “I needed to run a good time, and this race is good for the Diamond League points.”
1500m Results
| POS | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timothy Cheruiyot | KEN | 3:31.48 | 8 |
| 2 | Samuel Tefera | ETH | 3:31.63 | 7 |
| 3 | Abdelaati Iguider | MAR | 3:32.72 | 6 |
| 4 | Charles Cheboi Simotwo | KEN | 3:33.54 | 5 |
| 5 | Justus Soget | KEN | 3:34.33 | 4 |
| 6 | Aman Wote | ETH | 3:34.43 | 3 |
| 7 | Thiago Andrè | BRA | 3:35.40 | 2 |
| 8 | Bethwell Birgen | KEN | 3:35.95 | 1 |
| 9 | Vincent Kibet | KEN | 3:36.44 |
Race Video
Beatrice Chepkoech wins 3000m steeplechase
Fresh from her silver medal in the 1500m at the Commonwealth games, Beatrice Chepkoech returned to her specialty in Shanghai and was able to start the season on a solid note. However the towering Chepkoech had to contend with a strong challenge from compatriot Norah Jeruto. The Kenyan duo were well ahead of the field by the 2000m mark. Chepkoech had a slight lead at the last water jump. But Jeruto stormed back and caught Chepkoech at the last hurdle. Unfortunately she slipped and fell, handing Chepkoech an easy win.
3000m Steeplechase Results
| POS | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | MARK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beatrice Chepkoech | KEN | 9:07.27 |
| 2 | Norah Jeruto | KEN | 9:09.30 |
| 3 | Daisy Jepkemei | KEN | 9:15.56 |
| 4 | Roseline Chepngetich | KEN | 9:21.05 |
| 5 | Purity Kirui | KEN | 9:21.34 |
| 6 | Joan Chepkemoi | KEN | 9:22.85 |
| 7 | Peruth Chemutai | UGA | 9:22.94 |
| 8 | Winfred Mutile Yavi | BRN | 9:44.02 |
| 9 | Caren Chebet | KEN | 9:46.58 |
| 10 | Fancy Cherono | KEN | 9:47.48 |
| 11 | Ann Gathoni | KEN | 9:47.71 |
| 12 | Birtukan Adamu | ETH | 9:48.38 |
| 13 | Shuangshuang Xu | CHN | 9:55.56 |
| 14 | Maritu Ketema | ETH | 10:05.61 |
| 15 | Sarah Pease | USA | 10:08.39 |
Race Video
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