World champion Mary Moraa withdraws from penultimate DL meet

Several world champions will line up for the penultimate Wanda Diamond League (DL) in Brussels but Kenya's Mary Moraa who was set to compete in the 400m has withdrawn.

"Unfortunately, I won't dance for you this evening at the Brussels Diamond League. I was to compete in 400m but failed to travel due to unavoidable circumstances. However, expect me at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League Finals in Oregon, USA where I am set to defend my 800m title, and perhaps, unleash the last jig of the season. Wishing my colleagues competing in Brussels best of luck. (sic)," she announced on her socials on Friday morning.

Moraa, whose best time in 400m is 50.38, was set to face three sub 50 seconds runners led by USA’s Little Shamier who heads to the race with a 49.68 personal best (PB) which is also her season best (SB), making her the fastest runner in tonight’s field.

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Clover Lieke (49.81) and Bolingo Cynthia (49.96) are the other two sub 50 runners this season, with Jamaica’s McLeod Candice also having a 49.51 PB but has run 50.19 this season to make her the fourth fastest on the field.

As well as a return to action for several newly crowned world champions, the Allianz Memorial van Damme is also the last chance for athletes to pick up points and qualify for the DL Final in Eugene on 16-17 September.

Meanwhile, youngsters Nelly Chepchirchir who finished fifth in 1500m at the world championships and former World U20 1500m champion who is the reigning bronze medalist Purity Chepkirui line up in tonight’s race in the distance.

The duo goes up against Olympic silver medalist Laura Muir among others in a field 0f 18 runners who will be chasing points to qualify for the final in Eugene.

Elsewhere, four Kenyan men led by reigning world U20 1500m champion Reynold Cheruiyot who made his senior debut in the world championships in Budapest, finishing eighth in the final will compete in rarely raced 2000m.

Cheruiyot will be joined by world indoor bronze medalist who finished fourth in Budapest, Abel Kipsang, Cornelius Tuwei and Boaz Kiprugut.

Commonwealth Games (2018) 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal and Collins Kipruto line up in the distance against world bronze medalist Ben Pattison and Algeria’s Slimane Moula who was fifth in the world final this year among others.

Meanwhile, the women’s 5000m will have five Kenyan women featuring led by Lilian Kasait who finished tenth in Budapest in a final won by multiple word record holder Faith Kipyegon to seal a rare double.

Others in the race are Grace Loibach, Caroline Nyaga, Winnie Jemutai and Ednah Jebitok.

400m women (21:04 pm)

Mary Moraa (Withdrawn)

1500m women (21:13 pm)

Nelly Chepchirchir

Purity Chepkirui

2000m men (21:56 pm)

Reynold Cheruiyot

Abel Kipsang

Cornelius Tuwei

Boaz Kiprugut

800m men (22:17 pm)

Wycliffe Kinyamal

Collins Kipruto

5000m women (22:26 pm)

Winnie Jemutai

Ednah Jebitok

Grace Loibach

Lilian Kasait

Caroline Nyaga