AFRICAN WRAP: Chebet comes close as Tebogo wins again

The final Diamond League meet before next weekend’s grand final in Brussels took place in a rainy Zurich on Thursday night with a whopping 14 Olympic gold medallist from Paris taking part.

Among them were several African stars who once again showed their class on the global stage.

We take a look at some of the outstanding African performances on the night:

GOLDEN CHEBET JUST MISSES THE MARK – Women’s 5000m

Beatrice Chebet lit up the track in Paris a few weeks ago, claiming double gold for Kenya in the 5000 and 10,000m.

On Thursday she had set her sights on adding the 5000m world record to the 10,000m one she claimed in May this year, but the chilly weather wasn’t ideal, and the pacing didn’t quite go according to plan.

The 24-year-old star nevertheless cruised to victory in a new meet record and world-leading time of 14:09.52 with Ejgayehu Taye of Ethiopia finishing a distant second in 14:28.76 and her compatriot Tsigie Gebreselama third in 14:39.05.

“I really wanted to run the world record, but I missed it,” said Chebet afterwards. “This is due to the weather, and the pacemaker was supposed to pace until 3000m, but she dropped off earlier. I used a lot of energy to push. It was not easy.”

TEBOGO EXTENDS WINNING STREAK – Men’s 200m

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo continues to be the man to beat over 200m this season.

The newly crowned Olympic champion fought off another strong American challenge to emerge victorious in Zurich, crossing the line in 19.55 seconds.

That saw him edging out Kenny Bednarek by just two hundredths of a second.

There was some consolation for the Olympic silver medallist as his time of 19.57 was a new personal best. Finishing in third was fellow American Eriyon Knighton (19.79).

“I always dig deep for the races and for everything, so, for me it means a lot,” said Tebogo afterwards.

“Even though it was not my one hundred per cent, I think that at the finals it is something that you will see. Today, I did not run the curve, I only ran the home straight - but with the Olympic final I ran throughout the whole race. That is something I will do at the Diamond League final because there is still more inside me… it is all about taking risks. Without risks there are no rewards, so I am taking all the risks that I have got. As long as I finish the season healthy, then I am good to go.”

MORAA INSPIRED BY LITTLE SISTER'S WIN – Women’s 800m

It’s been a gruelling few weeks for Mary Moraa including a return to the track just four days after setting a world best over 600m in Berlin.

But she’s clearly been drawing inspiration from her younger sister, Sarah, who claimed 800m gold at the World U20 Championships in Peru last week.

On Thursday night, Moraa stormed down the home straight to claim the 800m title in Zurich in a time of 1:57.08 with Britain’s Georgia Bell second in 1:57.94.

“My plan is to finish my season in a good way, but I leave everything to God. After Paris, the training has not been running well because after each two days you are running another event so it’s hard,” said Moraa. 

“The training that I did over the last seven months is the one that I am using. I am training together with my sister and with the same coach so I am very proud that she won a gold medal at the World U20 Championships. I have been mentoring her so she can follow my footsteps. My dream is to be able to be race with her on the big stage.”

KROP OVERCOMES CHILLY SWISS TEMPERATURES – Men’s 3000m

Kenya’s Jacob Krop used the 3000m in Zurich to prepare for next weekend’s 5000m final in Brussels, overcoming both his rivals and the chilly weather to win in a time of 7:34.80.

Compatriot Cornelius Kemboi was second in 7:35.46.

“It is very important to me to get this win today,” said Kemboi after the race.

“Honestly, I did not expect such cold weather, but I managed it well. We decided our plan before the race, and I did what I supposed to do… At this point, I feel like the season is getting to an end and I want to close it with style. I want to run something special in Brussels and finish the season with style in the 5000m.”