Kigen and Kinyamal rule in Paris, Kipruto fails to finish race

Reigning African 3000m steeplechase champion Benjamin Kigen reminded the world that Kenya is still the big boy in the water and barrier race after guiding his compatriots Abraham Kibiwott and Leonard Bett to a clean sweep in the Paris leg of the Diamond League held at the Charlety Stadium on Saturday.

The three came under fire when they failed to guard the Olympic title in the recently concluded Games, after surrendering to Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco.

However the Kenya Defence Forces runner who won bronze in Tokyo made amends after clocking 8:07.12 to win the race ahead of Kibiwott who came second in 8:09.35.

Bett, a former World U20 silver medalist came in third in 8:10.21 while World champion Conseslus Kipruto did not finish the race so is Bakkali and three more athletes. 

Commonwealth champion Wycliffe Kinyamal was in a class of his own in the 800m after cruising to victory in the two lap race which Kenyans lost to Marco Arop of Canada in Lausanne on Thursday. 

Kinyamal clocked 1:43.94 while Olympic silver medalist Ferguson Rotich came in second in1:44.45 ahead of Arop who was third after timing 1:44.74.

Former Olympic 800m silver medalist Francine Niyonsaba won the women's 3000m race after crossing the line in 8:19.08.

Ejgayehu Taye of Ethiopia was second after clocking 8:18.52 while World 5000m silver medalist Margaret Kipkemboi was third in 8:21.53. Beatrice Chebet faded to a eleven place finish