Chebet, Omanyala, and Chepchirchir express joy after impressive Rabat showings

Beatrice Chebet may have fallen just six seconds short of a historic world record in the women’s 3000m at the Diamond League meeting in Rabat on Sunday, but her electrifying run made one thing clear: she’s far from done chasing greatness.

The reigning double Olympic champion blazed to a sensational 8:11.56—just behind the longstanding world record of 8:06.11 set by China’s Wang Junxia. While the margin might sting on paper, Chebet remained upbeat and focused on the bigger picture.

“I like this distance. It’s unlike the 5,000m or 10,000m—it’s something completely different, and I’m also good at it,” she told Athletics Kenya.

The 25-year-old, who already holds world records in the 10,000m (28:54.14) and 5km (13:54), clarified that Rabat wasn’t about chasing records—it was about chasing her own limits.

“I’m so, so happy. I wasn’t aiming for the world record, just a personal best—and I achieved that. I just have to keep believing in myself, and maybe after some months or years, the world record will come,” she said. Her main focus, she added, is now set on the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo.

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In the sprints, Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala signaled a return to form with a solid second-place finish in the men’s 100m. Clocking 10.05 seconds, the African record holder trailed only South Africa’s Akani Simbine (9.95), with American Fred Kerley, the 2022 world champion, finishing third in 10.07.

Omanyala’s performance marked a strong comeback after a disappointing ninth-place finish in Shanghai earlier this month.

“The race was very good, and I’m happy with second place,” he said. “But I know I still need to improve to get better results. My next race will be in Kenya, and I’ll try to do better than here.”

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It was also a night to remember for Nelly Chepchirchir, who secured her third consecutive victory of the season in the women’s 1500m. Clocking a season-best 3:58.04, she held off Ethiopia’s Worknesh Mesele (3:58.44) and fellow Kenyan Dorcus Ewoi, who ran a personal best of 3:59.25.

“I came prepared, and I’m happy to win again and run a season best,” said Chepchirchir, who had earlier wins in Germany and Doha.

Focus now shifts to the Kip Keino Classic, set for Saturday, 31st May, in Nairobi, where Kenya’s top stars will aim to dazzle on home soil.

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