AFRICAN WRAP: East Africans delight fervent fans in Doha

After a short break for last weekend’s World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas, Diamond League action resumed at the third leg of the prestigious series in Doha.

It turned into a night of celebration for the numerous Kenyan and Ethiopian fans who packed into the Qatar Sports Club.

CHEBET SMOKES THE FIELD FOR KENYAN VICTORY – WOMEN’S 5000M

A total of 12 of the 17 athletes who lined up for the women’s 5000m in Doha were Ethiopian and it was Ejgayehu Taye who led for much of the race. But Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet ensured the victory would not go to one of her East African neighbours, producing a massive kick in the final 200m to blitz the field and claim the win in a world-leading time of 14:26.98. Taye was second in 14:29.26 with her compatriot Medina Esa third in 14:34.11

“Winning here was great, I really enjoyed it and it felt even better thanks to the presence of so many Kenyan fans in the stadium,” said the Commonwealth Games champion.

“The big prize for me this year will be an Olympic medal in Paris. I will try for the gold of course, but any medal at the Olympics will be an amazing thing for me.”

FIREWU STRIKES FOR ETHIOPIA DOWN THE HOME STRAIGHT – MEN’S 3000M STEEPLECHASE

The men’s 3000m steeplechase came down to a thrilling sprint duel down the home straight. And, once again it was a showdown between Kenya and Ethiopia, with Abraham Kibiwott and Samuel Firewu locked in battle.

It was Ethiopia’s 20-year-old African Games champion Firewu who just edged ahead at the finish to take the win in a world-leading time of 8:07.25. Kenya’s Commonwealth Games champion Kibiwott finished in 8:07.38 with another Ethiopian, Getnet Wale, third in 8:09.69.

KENYA’S MORAA DOES IT FOR THE FANS – WOMEN’S 800M

There was a familiar feel to the women’s 800m as Kenya’s Mary Moraa picked up where she left off at the Kip Keino Classic on home soil last month. As the bunch rounded the final bend, it still looked to be anybody’s race, but then, true to form, the world champion found another gear over the last 100m, powering ahead to win in a season’s best time of 1:57.91. 38-year-old Noélie Yarigo of Benin was third in 1:58.70.

Like Chebet, Moraa was also thrilled with the large Kenyan contingent in the crowd. “This race was dedicated to the fans, there are many Kenyans here, they were waiting for the last Kenyan to compete so I dedicate it to them. Sometimes it helps us to compete in front of a big crowd from home, we get the support from them, so you can remind yourself to push harder,” she said.

FRONT-RUNNER HAILU HOLDS ON FOR GUTSY WIN – WOMEN’S 1500M

Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu looked like she might have got her race plan wrong when she was the only athlete to go out with the pacemaker in the women’s 1500m. The world indoor champion opened up a 20m gap on the field at one point, maintaining that lead into the bell. But the pack were on a mission to hunt her down over the final 400m. Australia’s Jess Hull gave it a good go but ultimately ran out of time to catch Hailu, who had done enough to hold on for the victory in 4:00.42. Hull was second in 4:00.84 with Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir third in a season’s best 4:01.19

KOMEN LEADS A KENYAN SWEEP – MEN’S 1500M

There was plenty of shoving and jostling at the start of the final lap in the men's 1500m. But it was Kenyan Brian Komen who muscled his way through, emerging victorious by defeating his more experienced compatriot Timothy Cheruiyot. Komen, the African Games champion, clocked a time of 3:32.43, to finish ahead of 2019 world champion Cheruiyot. Reynold Cheruiyot completed the podium sweep for Kenya in third place with a time of 3:32.96.

SAMUKONGA BACK IN BUSINESS OVER ONE LAP – MEN’S 400M

Southern Africa was well represented in the men’s 400m. Competing in his first Diamond League meet of the season, Zambia’s Commonwealth Games champion Muzala Samukonga finished second in 45.07 seconds behind Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas (44.76) with Botswana’s Leungo Scotch, fresh from his 4x400m gold medal alongside his compatriots at the World Athletics Relays, third in 45.29.