Reynold Cheruiyot explains how Shanghai Diamond League took a toll on his body
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 24.06.26. | 14:31
Cheruiyot finished second in the men's 3000m at the opening Wanda Diamond League meeting in Shanghai/Keqiao last month, producing one of the standout performances of the event
World 1,500m bronze medalist Reynold Cheruiyot has revealed that his impressive performance at the Shanghai Diamond League came at a cost to his health and fitness.
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Cheruiyot finished second in the men's 3000m at the opening Wanda Diamond League meeting in Shanghai/Keqiao last month, producing one of the standout performances of the event.
The 2022 World U20 1,500m champion clocked a personal best of 7:26.11, narrowly missing victory as Germany's Mohamed Abdilaahi surged late to win in 7:25.77.
The race featured a stellar field that included Jacob Krop, Timothy Cheruiyot, Andreas Almgren, Edwin Kurgat, Birhanu Balew, and several other world-class athletes.
Despite the breakthrough performance, Cheruiyot disclosed that the aftermath of the race proved challenging.
“Since competing at the Shanghai Diamond League, my body has not been in the best condition. However, it has been responding well in recent weeks, and I believe you will see better and faster times from me going forward,” he offered.
He attributed his struggles to the weather conditions in China, which he believes affected his body after returning home.
“I think the weather conditions in China affected me. When I returned to Kenya, I fell sick, and my body felt very heavy. But I thank God that I have recovered well and I am now doing okay,” he added.
Cheruiyot was speaking after successfully navigating a highly competitive national trials race, where he came in second behind Timothy Cheruiyot, who booked his place on Team Kenya. He described the contest as one of the toughest races he has faced this season.
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“The national trials were very tactical because everyone was in great form. There was a lot of pressure, and the field was extremely strong, which made the competition even tougher,” he explained.
The Shanghai race was another highlight in what has been a busy and encouraging season for the rising Kenyan star.
Cheruiyot opened his 2026 campaign at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, where he formed part of Kenya's mixed relay team alongside Winfred Mbithe, Daniel Munguti and Purity Chepkirui.
The quartet finished fourth in 22:42, narrowly missing out on a podium place behind Australia, France and Ethiopia.
He quickly bounced back a month later at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country Tour, storming to victory in the 2km race in 5:52 ahead of Daniel Munguti and former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot.
His first track appearance of the year came at the Meeting Hauts-de-France indoors, where he endured a disappointing outing, finishing ninth in the 1,500m in 3:42.27. However, he soon rediscovered his best form.
At the Kip Keino Classic in April, Cheruiyot delivered a strong performance to finish second in the men's 1,500m in 3:34.73 behind Olympic and world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who crossed the line in 3:34.11.
Cheruiyot has steadily built an impressive résumé since bursting onto the international scene in 2022. He announced himself globally by winning the World U20 1,500m title in Cali, Colombia, before adding the African U20 crown in Ndola, Zambia, the following year.
His biggest achievement to date came last year when he secured his first senior global medal, claiming bronze in the men's 1,500m at the World Championships in Tokyo. He clocked 3:34.25 behind Portugal's Isaac Nader and Britain's Jake Wightman.