Kenyans were on song at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Rome on Thursday June 6.

Silas Kiplagat clinches 1500m, Kiprop 3rd

Silas Kiplagat earned a measure of revenge in the 1500m race. A week earlier he lost to Ayanleh Souleiman of Djibouti in the metric mile race held in Eugene Oregon. But in the shorter race, Kiplagat was more at home.  Kiplagat pulled away in the final 50 metres to win in 3:30.44 with Djibouti’s world indoor champion second this time in 3:31.89.

Asbel Kiprop who had run a superb 3:32 anchor leg at the world relay championships is suffering from an inexplicable loss of form.  Asbel Kiprop tried to challenge at the last bend but had no answer to the acceleration of Kiplagat and Souleiman. He was third in 3:31.89.world record this season. Kiprop had announced that he would be challenging the But after a poor outing in Oregon and a third place finish here, that seems like a distant dream.

Birech beats Kipsiele in 3000m steeplechase

Jairus Birech ran away from the rest of the field with just over laps to go. By the last lap he had a 40-metre lead. He finished first in 8:06.20. The third-fastest time of his career.

Sum wins 800m in clinical fashion

Eunice Sum faced a strong challenge from Cuban 18 year old Sahily Diago. The young Cuban had run the fastest time of the year 1:57.74  in Havana two weeks ago. But Sum executed her tactics with the preciseness of a surgeon, making her move with 150m left and fended off a strong challenge from 3rd placed Ajee Wilson of the USA.

But watch out for Diago who is already showing signs of following in the footsteps of another Cuban 800m legend, Anna Fidelia Quirot.