Diamond League: Koech takes the world by storm as Omanyala settles for third

Former world U20 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Simon Koech has bagged his biggest title yet in the senior levels after securing the Diamond League (DL) title in Eugene. 

The 20-year-old clocked 8:06.26 to win ahead of Samuel Firewu (8:10.74) and George Beamish (8:14.01) to thrust his name right back in to the conversation of Kenya's walk to restoring their dominance in the water and barrier event. 

Diamond League: Kipyegon's title was never in doubt, was it?

Koech made his debut in the DL in July when he raced in Monaco, clocking a Personal Best time of 8:04.19 to win the race ahead of compatriot Abraham Kibiwott who clocked 8:09.54. 

His mission in Monaco was to qualify for his first ever World Championships, and it was mission accomplished in the end. 

He, however, finished a distant seventh in Budapest but that disappointment has not stopped the youngster from gaming advantage of his opportunity in Eugene to win. 

Compatriots, Commonwealth Games champion Kibiwott, Benjamin Kigen and Amos Serem placed 6th to 8th in Eugene. 

Elsewhere, African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala rose from his disappointing show in Budapest during the worlds to settle for third in a close finish, clocking 9.85 seconds. 

Christian Coleman bossed the field with a 9.83 seconds run to tie the world leading time and deny 100m and 200m world champion Noah Lyles who worked hard in the final 20m to deny Omanyala second place.