Conseslus Kipruto, Elijah Manangoi shine in Rome

Kenya's Conseslus Kipruto crosses the finish line to win the Men's 3,000m Steeplechase event at the Rome's Diamond League competition on June 2, 2016 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. PHOTO | TIZIANA FABI |

What you need to know:

  • Ayana now holds three of the six fastest times in history.
  • Cherono, who finished second to Ayana in 3,000m in Doha, went for a repeat show ahead of Viola Kibiwot (14:34.39).

World silver medallists Conseslus Kipruto and Elijah Manangoi were in top form to win their respective races in Rome, the fifth leg of the Diamond League on Thursday.

Kipruto claimed his third Diamond League victory after winning in Doha and Rabat, when he reigned in a world-leading time of 8 minutes and 01.41 seconds, just missing his personal best by 0.25 seconds in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase.

Despite taking a plunge, 2014 and 2015 Diamond League Trophy winner Jairus Birech, managed to pick himself up to finish second in 8:11.39 ahead of Paul Kipsiele Koech in 8:14.46.

Pacemaker Lawrence Kipsang set a world record pace clocking 2:35.82 in the first 1km but the race slowed at 2km when Kipruto went through in the lead in 5:20.32 before winning. Olympic and World champion Ezekiel Kemboi finished a distant 10th in 8:24.26.

“You have to take it when it’s your time and I want to thank everyone for their support. My ultimate dream is to be an Olympic champion,” said Kipruto, who heads to Birmingham on Sunday.

MANANGOI SHINES

Manangoi finally had his day in the sun after finishing second to three-time World 1,500m champion in Doha and third at Prefontaine Classic, when he won the 1,500m race in a final sprint in 3:33.06.

Manangoi tactically held off 2013 World Youth champion Robert Biwott to second in a season best’s of 3:34.21 ahead of Ryan Gregson from Australia in 3:34.27 as 2011 World silver medallist Silas Kiplagat yet again found the going tough, winding fourth in 3:34.49.

Despite claiming her personal best of 14:33.95, 2013 World 5,000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono once again played second fiddle to World 5,000m champion Almaz Ayana in the women’s 5,000m race.

The unstoppable Ayana set the second fastest time in history, winning the race unchallenged in 14:12.59, which was also a meet record - improving on Tirunesh Dibaba’s 14:32.57 set in 2005.

Ayana now holds three of the six fastest times in history. She has set two of these performances this year in Rome on Thursday and when winning in Rabat (14:16.31) on May 22, and the other in 2015 in Shanghai (14:14.32).

Cherono, who finished second to Ayana in 3,000m in Doha, went for a repeat show ahead of Viola Kibiwot (14:34.39).

Kenya’s World 800m bronze medallist Eunice Sum continued with her poor show, finishing 10th in 2:02.03 in her 800m that saw the 2009 World champion South African Caster Semenya win her third Diamond League race this season.

Semenya equalled her season's best with 1:56.64. World Indoor champion Francine Nyonsaba took the runner-up spot with 1:58.20 ahead of 2012 European champion Linsey Sharp (1:59.03).