L. MathekaDiamond League: Kipsang to face Ingebrigtsen, Cheruiyot in Prefontaine
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 26.05.22. | 18:55
The Eugene leg of the Diamond League is set for 27 and 28 May
In a repeat of the Tokyo Olympics, reigning world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot, fourth-place finisher Abel Kipsang and Olympics champion Jacob Ingebrigtsen clash on Saturday at the third Wanda Diamond League (DL) on Saturday 28 May.
The Eugene leg of the DL dubbed Prefontaine Classic will see Ingebrigtsen and Cheruiyot clash for the first time since the former pipped the world champion at the Summer Games.
💎 Birmingham 🇬🇧
— MR.CARTER (@NelsonCarterJr) May 21, 2022
🏃♂️ 1500M
1. Abel Kipsang 🇰🇪 3:35.15
2. Mohamed Katir 🇪🇸 3:35.62
3. Oliver Hoare 🇦🇺 3:35.76 SB
12. Baptiste Mischler 🇫🇷 3:39.94 #BirminghamDL pic.twitter.com/vkn3ysLwd6
However, it will be a third meeting this year for Cheruiyot and countryman Kipsang who heads to his third DL on the back of two wins in Doha and Birmingham.
The World Indoor bronze medalist also boasts the world's leading time this year, a 3:31.01 mark he clocked during the World Athletics Continental Tour gold meeting, Kip Keino Classic, in Nairobi, setting a championship record.
In Doha, Kipsang won in 3:35.70, beating Cheruiyot. Before their clash in Doha, the two had faced off in Nairobi during the national championship where Kipsang clocked 3:36.17 to win. Cheruiyot who was battling an injury then finished a distant sixth.
Kipsang has also raced against Ingebrigtsen this season, but indoors. The two met in the World Indoor Championships final alongside former world record-holder Samuel Tefera in Serbia.
That’s going to be something! Jakob Ingebrigtsen is the new King but that field is loaded. Plus you got the high school kid, Colin Sahlman, in that race too. He might do something special even break the national record. Definitely the highlight of the @nikepreclassic
— Tommy A. Neumann (@tommyneumann) May 26, 2022
Tefera sprinted past race favourite Ingebrigtsen in the final 50 meters to win gold in a championship record time of 3:32.77. Ingebrigtsen finished second in 3:33.02 and Kipsang took third in 3:33.36.
Ingebrigtsen has a rich history of success in the race. At the 2017 Pre Classic, he became the youngest athlete to ever break the four-minute barrier, running 3:58.07 at the age of 16.
Easing into the international race season @dldoha. Timothy Cheruiyot 2nd in 1500m with Tim Sein on pacing duties to 1000m. #RoadToTheFinal 💎 pic.twitter.com/owomAX5Mur
— Rongai Athletics Club (@RongaiAC) May 15, 2022
One year later he lowered his time to 3:52.28, before returning again in 2019 with 3:51.30.In last year’s race, Ingebrigtsen captured his first victory, running the fastest ever time on US soil of 3:47.24. Cheruiyot won the race here in 2019 as he went on to win the world title the same year.
Friday night will be a party at the Pre 🎉
— Prefontaine Classic (@nikepreclassic) May 20, 2022
Friday’s competition schedule and fields are here! The @usatf 10,000m championships will kick off the show at 7:30 pm Pacific, and Gidey will now take a run at the 5,000m world record.
Tickets on sale at https://t.co/7e9vg6egsK pic.twitter.com/BAuNzlb6nw
Matthew Centrowitz, the 2016 Olympic champion, was originally in the Prefontaine field where he was to make his 2022 debut but withdrew with a knee injury.
The three will face competition from World Under-20 champion Vincent Keter who is racing in his firat DL this season. Birmingham bronze medalist Oliver Hoare is also on the field as is Jakob's sibling Filip Ingebrigtsen. Others include Colin Sahlman, Cooper Teare, Clayton Murphy, Jake Heyward and Ignacio Fontes.
