Kipyegon Bett stuns Rudisha to claim victory in Shanghai
Kipyegon Bett of Kenya reacts as he wins in the men’s 800m during the Shanghai Diamond League athletics competition in Shanghai May 13, 2017.
What you need to know:
- Rudisha, who is also the World record-holder (1:40.91), settled fourth in 1:45.36.
World Under-20 800m champion Kipyegon Bett stunned Olympic and World champion David Rudisha for his maiden Diamond League 800m victory in Shanghai on Saturday.
Bett clocked 1 minutes and 44.70 seconds to win the race, beating compatriots Robert Biwott and 2016 Diamond League Series winner Ferguson Rotich 1:45.15 and 1:45/17 respectively.
"I am very happy with my performance, my training is going well," Bett said after the race.
Rudisha, who is also the World record-holder (1:40.91), settled fourth in 1:45.36.
"Today was my first race and I'm very happy with my performance here. I hope to improve in the upcoming races," Rudisha said.
"This race shows me where I am at and it is something to build on. I hope to put some things in place to improve for my next race."
Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion and World record-holder Kenyan-born Bahraini Ruth Jebet turned the tables on World champion Hyvin Kiyeng from Kenya to win the women’s 3,000m steeplechase race in Shanghai in Meet Record time.
Jebet, who had a week earlier lost to Kiyeng in Doha, turned on a front running trade mark style to win in 9:04.78, beating Kiyeng in 9:06.72. World Under-18 and Under-20 champion Cellphine Chespol settled third in 9:07.08.
Norah Jeruto and Commonwealth Games champion Purity Kurui came in fourth and fifth in 9:15.35 and 9:24.97 respectively.
