Previously unknown to most of the world, Kenyan Ronald Kwemoi came from nowehere to record an impressive win at the Lausanne Diamond League 1500m race. He beat a strong field that included most of the very best 1500m runners in the world including Silas Kiplagat, Abdelaati Iguider, Aman Wote and Ayan Souleiman.

The 18 year old Kwemoi was a virtual unknown at until last year. He was ninth at World Junior cross country and then ran in Japan for one of the Japanese teams with a best of 3:45 for 1500. This year he had run 13:21 and 3:42.5 in Japan. Impressive times for an 18-year-old .

He came to the fore at the Kenyan Championships / Commonwealth games qualifiers which  he won in 3:34.6 at altitude. Many were impressed by the youngstar. But given the absence of Silas Kiplagt and Asbel Kiprop many may have worried that Kenya would send a weakened 1500m team to the Commonwealth games. With Kwemoi’s win in Lausanne, those fears should dissipate.

Men’s 1500m
Place Athlete / Team Country Birth Result
1. Ronald KWEMOI KEN 95 3:31.48 PB
2. Silas KIPLAGAT KEN 89 3:31.81
3. James Kiplagat MAGUT KEN 90 3:31.91
4. Aman WOTE ETH 84 3:31.96
5. Abdelaati IGUIDER MAR 87 3:32.10
6. Collins CHEBOI KEN 87 3:32.29 SB
7. Matthew CENTROWITZ USA 89 3:32.70 SB
8. Bethwell BIRGEN KEN 88 3:32.80
9. Henrik INGEBRIGTSEN NOR 91 3:33.68 PB
10. Homiyu TESFAYE GER 93 3:34.41
11. Mekonnen GEBREMEDHIN ETH 88 3:35.24 SB
12. Nixon Kiplimo CHEPSEBA KEN 90 3:37.90
13. Mahiedine MEKHISSI BENABBAD FRA 85 4:09.30 SB
– Andrew Kiptoo ROTICH KEN 87 DNF
– Hillary Kipkorir MAIYO KEN 93 DNF