Fairly good outing for Kenyan athletes in Doha Diamond League meet

Kenyan athletes had a fairly good outing in the first Diamond League meeting of the season held at the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium on Friday night.

World Indoor 800m silver medalist Noah Kibet who withdrew from the Kip Keino Classic championship held in Nairobi last weekend, stole the show as he coasted to victory in the two-lap race after clocking 1:49.08.

The youngster who doubles up as the World U20 silver medalist over the distance beat Peter Bol of Australia thanks to his kick in the final bend.

Marco Arop of Canada was third in 1:49.51. Olympic silver medalist Ferguson Rotich finished fifth while World Champion Donovan Brazier was sixth.

Fresh from clinching top honors in the Kip Keino Classic, Abel Kipsang displayed his form as he beat World champion Timothy Cheruiyot in the 1500m race.

Kipsang clocked 3:35.70 while Cheruiyot was second in 3:36.16.Teddese Lemj of Ethiopia came in third after timing 3:37.06. Kamar Etiang was fifth after stopping the clock in 3:38.74 two places ahead of Charles Simotwo who timed 3:39.18.

The 2016 Olympic 800m silver medalist Francine Niyonsaba had to fend off stiff competition from multiple Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon to claim victory in the 3000m.

Niyonsaba who had to upgrade from her favorite two-lap race timed 8:37.70 while Kipyegon who will rue her tactic of running in the inner lane where she was boxed crossed the line in 8:38.05.

Jessica Hull of Australia was third in 3:40.97 while Olympian Edinah Jebitok came in sixth after clocking 8:42.34. World steeplechase champion and record holder Beatrice Chepkoech faded to a 12th place finish.

Olympic 3000m Steeplechase champion Soufiane El Bakkali had to dink his chest at the finish line as well as wait for seconds to confirm his victory as he was under immense pressure from World silver medalist Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia. Kenyan Abraham Kibiwot finished third.