Kenyans keen to stamp authority in Florence Diamond League meet

Despite Marcell Jacobs’ eleventh-hour withdrawal from the third leg of the Diamond League meet penciled for Friday 2 at the 2023 Golden Gala in Florence, Italy, the 100m field still promises a mouth-watering competition. Rabat Diamond League 100m champion Fred Kerley will be up against usual suspects Akani Simbine of South Africa and Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya.

Omanyala failed to sparkle during their last meeting, timing 10:05 to finish third. The Commonwealth Games 100m champion will be on a revenge mission against his opponents. Kerley was in his usual superb form during their last meeting in Rabat, outclassing the 100m field to win in 9:94 seconds while Akani Simbine clocked 9:99.

If his recent Twitter post is anything to go by, Omanyala will be looking to bounce back to winning ways as he prepares for his next two Diamond League races in Florence and Paris.

Faith Kipyegon and Laura Muir in 1500m H2H

Two-time Olympic and world 1,500 m champion Faith Kipyegon will be determined to maintain her appealing form when she renews her rivalry with Scotland's Laura Muir in the Diamond League meeting in Florence on Friday.

Kipyegon will return to Florence where she set the national record in 3:53.91 in 2021, keen to win another Diamond League title. At her season debut in Doha, she already clocked 3:58.57.

Besides chasing her third world title, the Olympic and world gold medalist is looking to better her 3:50.37 personal best this year as she aims at lowering Genzebe Dibaba’s 3:50.07 world record.

Jacob Krop out to surprise opponents

World 5,000m silver medalist, Jacob Krop will also be making his debut in the Diamond League this weekend. Krop is looking to hone his speed ahead of the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. His mission in Budapest will be to improve on the 2022 World Championships performance where he finished second.

Chebet maintains modesty ahead of World Championships in Budapest

Other Kenyans who are ready to cause upset in Florence include World 3000 steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech who is up against a strong opposition among them fellow Kenyans Jackline Chepkoech, Fancy Cherono, and Faith Cherotich.

The Kenyans will compete against former World champion Emma Coburn of the USA and the Ethiopian trio of Mekides Abebe, Sembo Alemayehu, and Zarfe Wondemagegn.