Asbel Kiprop, Conseslus Kipruto ease to victory in Doha
Kenya's Asbel Kiprop (centre) competes in the men's 1500m race during the Diamond League athletics competition at the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, on May 6, 2016. PHOTO | KARIM JAAFAR |
What you need to know:
- Kiprop wins 1,500m in World Lead time
- Kipruto glides to victory in another World Lead time in 3,00m steeplechase
- Sum finishes third in women's 800m won by Caster Semenya of South Africa
- Mercy Cherono comes home second behind Ethiopia's Almaz Ayana in the women's 3,000m
World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop and World 3,000m steeplechase silver medallist Conseslus Kipruto glided to world leads with victories in their respective races as the 2016 Diamond League got underway in Doha Friday.
It’s Kiprop who started the evening rolling with an unchallenged victory in a world lead of 3:32.16 after cruising past the 800m mark at 1:52.0 on the bell at 2:34.0 and 1,200m at 2:49.
The calm Kiprop stayed behind the pacesetters, giving the rest of the chasing pack a margin of up to 20m as he waved to the cheering crowd at homestretch for victory.
It was a replica of the World Championships as Kiprop’s protégée Elijah Manangoi, who is the World 1,500m silver medallist, finished second in 3:33.67.
The 2011 World silver medallist Silas Kiplagat romped home third in 3:33.86 as Bethwel Birgen wrapped up a 1-4 finish for Kenya in 3:33.94.
The Kenyans head to Eugene and Oslo on May 28 and June 9 respectively before turning their focus on the Olympic Games trials due June 29 to July 1 in Eldoret.
"I had no reason to push hard after I peeped over my shoulder at the final bend to see I was a distance ahead. I still own the Meet Record,” said Kiprop, who set a Meeting Record of 3:29.18 when winning in 2014.
Kipruto, who only won one event last season in London, made an early statement, winning the men’s 3,000m steeplechase also unopposed in a world lead time of 8:05.13.
KIPRUTO WINS
The 2013 Diamond Trophy winner, Kipruto, who won silver medals at the 2013 and 2015 Worlds, edged out the 2016 Diamond Trophy winner Jairus Birech to second in 8:08.28. Abraham Kibiwott sealed the podium place for Kenya in a personal best 8:09.25.
World 800m bronze medallist Eunice Sum from Kenya was forced to settle for third in the 800m race where the 2009 World champion Caster Semenya from South Africa won in a world lead time of 1:58.26.
Sum clocked season’s best of 1:59.74 behind Ethiopian Alemu Habitam in personal best 1:59.14.
Commonwealth Games 5,000m champion Mercy Cherono bowed down to World 5,000m champion Almaz Ayana from Ethiopian in the women’s 3,000m. Ayana closed the show in Doha in style with victory in a world-leading 8:23.12.
Cherono, the 2013 World 5,000m silver medallist, came home second in 8:26.38, Gelete Burka from Ethiopia third in 8:28.49 with World 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot next in 8:31.86.
