Diamond League: Cherotich, Kiplagat among Kenyans in action in China

Wanda Diamond League’s second meeting is on this weekend, Saturday 27th April, in Suzhou / Shangai, China where world-class athletes are set to feature.

Several Kenyans are in action with eyes on Olympic qualifying times as well as crucial points to clinching the coveted Diamond League titles.

The first Kenyans on the track will compete in the non-Diamond League 5000m women’s race that features a formidable field, led by 2022 world 10,000m champion and world record-holder Letesenbet Gidey.

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World Athletics Rising Star Faith Cherotich, the world 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist who competes for the first time at the senior level over the distance leads Kenya’s charge for the title and will be joined by former World U20 3000m champion Teresiah Gateri, Margret Akidor, Ednah Jebitok and Caroline Nyaga.

World record holder in the women’s 3000m steeplechase Beatrice Koech takes on a field that has world bronze medalist, and Commonwealth Games champion, compatriot, Jackline Chepkoech, world U20 silver medalist Sembo Almayew and Olympic champion Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai.

Fancy Cherono is also on the start list as is 2022 world champion Norah Jeruto, 2017 world champion Emma Coburn, and two-time European champion Gesa Krause.

Meanwhile, two-time Commonwealth Games winner Wycliffe Kinyamal and Tshepiso Masalela, who were second and third in Xiamen, take on 2022 world silver medalist Djamel Sedjati.

The Algerian, Sedjati, won two Diamond League meetings in 2023 and boasts a personal best of 1:43.06. Alex Ngeno and Elias Ngeny will also compete.

In the men’s 5000m, Selemon Barega heads a fast 5000m field which also features the 2022 world bronze medalist, Oscar Chelimo, and an exciting outing over the distance for steeplechase superstar Lamecha Girma.

Girma set the 3000m steeplechase world record in Paris last year, a few months after having taken over a second off Daniel Komen’s over 25-year-old world 3000m indoor record.

The Kenyan squad in the race is headlined by world cross country bronze medalist Benson Kiplangat with Ronald Kwemoi and Samwel Chebolei also in action.