Little known Kenyan Nelly Jepkosgei clocked a world leading time of 2:35.43 in the rarely run and unconventional 1,000 metres, in the Belgacom memorial Van Damne Diamond League meeting in Brussels on Friday. Compatriot Winny Chebet finished second.
In the womens 3000m steeplechase, Milcah Chemos Cheywa capped a glorious season by winning the race. Chemos won in 9:05:06. The win enabled her to finish atop the diamond league standings.
By winning the 3000m Steeplechase in Brussels, World champion Milcah Chemos became the first athlete in history to win four Diamond Race titles in a row in the same event.
In the process, Chemos won $50,000 – $10,000 for the race and $40,000 for the Diamond League series title.
Chemos was under pressure in her event as four athletes were in contention for the Diamond Race victory.
World silver medallist Lydia Chepkurui had requested a fast pace, but that plan soon evaporated as the field was paced through the first kilometre in 3:03.90, and then slowed during the middle section of the race.
As the bell sounded for the last lap, Chemos still had Ethiopian duo Sofia Assefa and Hiwot Ayalew for company. Coming off the final water jump, it looked as though Assefa was poised to attack, but Chemos kicked harder and held on for the win, setting a meeting record of 9:15.06.
Assefa also dipped inside the previous mark with her 9:15.26 in second place, while Ayalew took third in 9:15.85.
Mercy Cherono who typically runs the 5000m finished second in the 1500m behind Abeba Aregawi and ahead of compatriot Hellen Obiri.
