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Kenyans shine in Ivo Van Damne Diamond League

Kenyan athletes were in sensational form during the final Diamond league meet of the 2017 season, the Ivo Van Damne meet in Belgium. Faith Kipyegon, Hellen Obiri, Conseslus Kipruto and Elijah Manangoi, all won their respective races to end a 2017 season which has been excellent for all of them. In the end, Obiri, Kipruto and Kipyegon ended up as overall Diamond league winners in their respective events.

Kipyegon Battle Sifan Hassan

Of all these athletes, Faith Kipyegon is the one who faced the strongest challenge. The challenge came in the form of Sifan Hassan. The Dutch woman  has the fastest 1500m time of the 2017 season, while Kipyegon is the defending world and Olympic champion. It was bound to be a epic battl. Hassan and Kipyegon went neck and neck from the bell all the way until there were 30 metres left when Kipyegon found another gear which enabled her to edge past Hassan. Another Kenyan, Winny Chebet, who is normally an 800m specialist, finished third.

Race Results

POS BIB ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
1 Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon  KEN 3:57.04
2 Sifan Hassan  NED 3:57.22
3 Winny Chebet  KEN 4:00.18
4 Gudaf Tsegay  ETH 4:00.36
5 Meraf Bahta  SWE 4:00.49
6 Jennifer Simpson  USA 4:00.70
7 Laura Weightman  GBR 4:00.71
8 Angelika Cichocka  POL 4:02.77
9 Besu Sado  ETH 4:03.83
10 Rababe Arafi  MAR 4:07.22
11 Malika Akkaoui  MAR 4:10.76

Race Video

Conseslus Kipruto in last gasp win

In the mens 3000m steeplechase, world champion Conseslus Kipruto left it until the last 10 metres to win the race. Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali led for most of the last lap. With 100 metres to go, the Moroccan had a significant lead and appeared on course to win. But Kipruto with a burst of energy after the final hurdle, passed El Bakkali, but with only a few metres left.

Race Video

Results

POS BIB ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
1 Conseslus Kipruto  KEN 8:04.73
2 Soufiane Elbakkali  MAR 8:04.83
3 Evan Jager  USA 8:11.71
4 Stanley Kipkoech Kebenei  USA 8:11.93
5 Nicholas Kiptonui Bett  KEN 8:12.20
6 Benjamin Kigen  KEN 8:13.06
7 Amos Kirui  KEN 8:18.32
8 Yemane Haileselassie  ERI 8:19.19
9 Jairus Kipchoge Birech  KEN 8:25.58
10 Andrew Bayer  USA 8:26.15
11 Abraham Kibiwott  KEN 8:33.76
12 Sebastián Martos  ESP 8:44.23

One issue for Kenyans in this event is the luck of depth. With the likes of Ezekiel Kemboi and Brimin Kipruto retiring, Kenya has only one medal contender: Kipruto. Yet this is an event where there were many years when Kenya had as many as 7 of the top 10 runners.

Obiri concludes a glorious season

The 2017 season has been by far the best season in Hellen Obiri’s career. Having switched from the 1500m to the 5000m Obiri thoroughly dominated the event in 2017, running the fastest time of the season, winning the world championships, and winning the Diamond league title.

Compatriot Caroline Kipkirui pushed Obiri until there was 200 metres left, upon which Obiri made her move Kipkirui could not respond.

Race Video

Race Results

POS BIB ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
1 Hellen Onsando Obiri  KEN 14:25.88
2 Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui  KEN 14:27.55
3 Senbere Teferi  ETH 14:32.03
4 Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi  KEN 14:32.82
5 Beatrice Chepkoech  KEN 14:39.33
6 Lilian Kasait Rengeruk  KEN 14:41.61
7 Letesenbet Gidey  ETH 14:42.74
8 Eilish McColgan  GBR 14:48.49
9 Susan Krumins  NED 14:51.25
10 Agnes Jebet Tirop  KEN 14:52.39
11 Etenesh Diro  ETH 15:07.69

 

Manangoi caps brilliant season

Elijah Manangoi fresh off winning the 1500m at the world athletics championships, won the men’s 1500m , easily fending off a challenge from Mahiedine Mekhissi of France

POS BIB ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
1 Elijah Motonei Manangoi  KEN 3:38.97
2 Mahiedine Mekhissi  FRA 3:39.42
3 Jordan Williamsz  AUS 3:40.03
4 Adel Mechaal  ESP 3:40.43
5 Jamal Hairane  QAT 3:40.58
6 Vincent Letting  KEN 3:41.15
7 Isaac Kipruto Kimeli  BEL 3:41.45
8 Adam Clarke  GBR 3:41.72
9 Ali Hamdi  BEL 3:41.88
10 Tarik Moukrime  BEL 3:44.11

 

Overall Diamond League winners 2017

Faith Kipyegon, Hellen Obiri and Conseslus Kipruto were among the overall winners.

 


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