Kenya’s diamond rush in Brussels

• World record holder Rudisha, Jepkogei and Olympic champs Asbel Kiprop, Vivian Cheruiyot hit jackpot

After the official signing of the new constitution into law, there was cause for more celebrations for the reborn nation celebrate and it was provided by five Kenyan athletes on Friday night in Brussels.

The five, Janeth Jepkosgei, Asbel Kiprop, David Rudisha, Vivian Cheruiyot and Milcah Chemos- each won jackpot in their respective races as the 14-leg inaugural the IAAF Diamond League ended with the final meeting in the Belgian capital.

There prize was Sh3.2 million ($40,000) in cash and a four carat diamond trophy each.

Jepkosgei started the Kenyan diamond rush holding off the challenges of Russia’s European champion Mariya Savinova to win in 1:58.82 and lift the Diamond Race Trophy in women’s 800m.

Savinova locked 1:59.49 to take second in both the race on the track and the one for points.

World champion Caster Semenya, returning to a big stage race against elite athletes, could not produce her significant final straight sprint but still was able to close strongly to finish third in 1:59.65, a season’s best.

Asbel Kiprop the Olympic champion, clocked as seasons best 3:32.18 to prevail in a tight battle in the men’s 1500m with another solid victory, this time over Augustine Choge who finished third behind American Leo Monzano who ran a career best 3:32.37.

Also producing a career best was Briton Thomas Lancashire, who was actually running his second race of the day. His first came totally unexpected.

“My mobile phone was stolen in the streets of Brussels and I ran after the thief,” Lancashire said. “I caught him but he had already given the phone to someone else.” He nonetheless ran 3:33.96.