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AFRICAN WRAP: Kenyans show their class in season finale

athletics15 September 2024 20:26
By:Karien Jonckheere
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Faith Kipyegon © X @WorldAthletics

The Diamond Trophy and US$30 000 were up for grabs at the season finale of the 15-event Diamond League series in a chilly Brussels over the weekend where 82 medallists from the recent Paris Olympics were in action.

We take a look at which of the African athletes secured the spoils, with Kenyans leading the way…

KIPYEGON IN A CLASS OF HER OWN – WOMEN'S 1500m

There’s a reason Faith Kipyegon has not lost a 1500m final in three years. She’s simply too quick.

The classy Kenyan was challenged by Ethiopian Diribe Welteji on Sunday but sprinted away down the home straight to win in a new meeting record of 3:54.75.

Welteji finished second in 3:55.25, ahead of Australian Jess Hull (3:56.99).

With that, Kipyegon, who took an unprecedented third Olympic gold in the 1500m in Paris, secured an impressive fifth straight Diamond League title.

“It was a good race, but definitely not an easy one,” said Kipyegon. “It was a bit cold to run 61 seconds in the first lap and 62 seconds for the next lap. I tried to be myself and focus on the finish line… I started my season very late because of a small problem and I still feel strong.”

TIME TO CELEBRATE FOR CHEBET – WOMEN’S 5000m

Another of Kenya’s Paris gold medallists – 5000m and 10 000m champion Beatrice Chebet – was also in fine form in the Belgian capital.

Some thought the world record might be under threat, but the cold weather put paid to that plan.

Chebet nevertheless dominated throughout, cruising to victory in a new meeting record of 14:09.82 – the eighth fastest time in history.

Ethiopian Medina Eisa set a new world junior record of 14:21.89 to finish in second place with compatriot Fotyen Tesfay third in a lifetime best of 14:28.53.

“It has been an amazing year with the double gold medal in Paris and now the Diamond League trophy,” said Chebet afterwards.

“I will celebrate it with my family. It’s not easy to do even better the next years, but you have to train hard, to have faith in yourself and stay focused. Now I am going back to my country, celebrate with my family and take some holidays. After that I will focus on the next season.”

LOSING NOT AN OPTION FOR AREGAWI – MEN'S 5000m

Heading to Brussels, Berihu Aregawi was yet to win on the track this year – finishing second on several occasions, including claiming silver in the 10 000m at the Paris Olympics.

But the 23-year-old finally got his win in the 5000m, heading a trio of Ethiopians.

Aregawi outkicked his compatriots to cross the line in a time of 12:43.66 with Hagos Gebrhiwet second in 12:44.25 and Telahun Haile Bekele third in 12:45.63.

“The crowd was amazing, so I´m thankful for the support today,” said Aregawi afterwards. “It was cold, very cold. But losing was not an option today, so very happy with the win here in Brussels.”

WANYONYI WINS A THRILLER – MEN'S 800m

The men’s 800m has consistently provided highlights throughout the Diamond League season as the protagonists in the battle edge closer to David Rudisha’s world record.

Another thrilling showdown saw Canadian world champion Marco Arop trying to take control of the race before Algerian Djamel Sedjati hunted him down.

But it was Kenya’s Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi who timed his kick to perfection, overtaking them both down the home straight to win in 1:42.70. Sedjati was second in 1:42.86 with Arop third in 1:43.25.

“The Diamond League is a very competitive competition,” said Wanyonyi.

“It wasn’t very warm today, but the race went well. The last metres were very hard, they always are. But I worked hard for it and I´m happy that I made it. And next year maybe another Diamond.”

SEREM SPRINGS A SURPRISE – MEN'S 3000m STEEPLECHASE

Two-time Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali has not lost a 3000m steeplechase race in three years.

So many would have expected it to be business as usual for the Moroccan in Brussels.

But Kenya’s Amos Serem threw a spanner in the works, bringing El Bakkali’s winning streak to a stunning end by surging ahead to take the victory in 8:06.90.

A tired-looking El Bakkali had to settle for second almost two seconds off the pace in 8:08.60 while Tunisia’s Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui was third in 8:09.68.

“I felt really great today, I believed I could but I didn’t expect it,” said a delighted Serem, who broke into a celebratory dance after the race.

“But I am so happy to close my season like this and to hopefully come back next year. I will prepare for next year and try to be even better.”

CHEROTICH IN CHARGE – WOMEN’S 3000m STEEPLECHASE

There was another upset in the women’s 3000m steeplechase with the favourite tag firmly on world and Olympic champion Winfred Yavi.

As expected the battle came down to the three medallists in Paris and it was bronze medallist Faith Cherotich who took the honours in Brussels, the Kenyan’s superior water jumps making all the difference as she blazed to victory in 9:02.36.

Kenyan-born Yavi was second in 9:02.87 with Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai third in 9:07.60.

“I didn’t expect to win today, but I think that I ran a good race,” said Cherotich.

“It wasn’t easy, but I kept saying to myself that if I’m still in the lead after the last water jump, I was going to win. Winning the Diamond League means a lot to me,” added the 20-year-old.

DANCING MORAA DOES IT AGAIN – WOMEN’S 800m

World champion Mary Moraa showed she still has plenty left in her legs, running a season’s best time to claim victory in the 800m.

She cruised to victory in 1:56.56 to get the better of Britain’s Georgia Bell who was second in 1:57.50.

This was Moraa’s fourth Diamond League win of the season.

“I’m so happy to get the trophy back after I lost it last year,” she said. “It was a hard competition, so I’m proud of myself for getting the Diamond back.”

RARE DEFEAT FOR TEBOGO – MEN'S 200m

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo has been untouchable since storming to Olympic gold in the 200m in Paris.

Finally, at the end of a long season, he showed a chink in his armour, losing out to Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek in Brussels.

The American had a better start, looked better on the bend and ultimately couldn’t be caught down the home straight as he blitzed to victory in 19.67 seconds.

Tebogo was second in 19.80 with the Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando third in 19.97.

“It has been a good season, but at the same time a tough season for me,” admitted Tebogo afterwards.

“I wanted to win the Diamond, but it has been a rollercoaster after the Olympics so it wasn’t easy to keep the focus. The cameras are more on me now, but I have to focus on myself. Now it’s time to go home and take some rest.”

CHERUIYOT EDGES OLYMPIC CHAMPS FOR SECOND – MEN'S 1500m

A messy men’s 1500m saw several bumps and trips affecting Timothy Cheruiyot’s title charge.

Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen avoided the chaos as he cruised to victory in 3:30.37 as a massive battle developed behind him for second place between Cheruiyot and Olympic champion Cole Hocker.

The Kenyan managed to dip in front, taking second spot in 3:30.93, just one hundredth of a second ahead of the American.

“Today was a good race,” said Cheruiyot. “I was expecting to run well and I also was in a good position during the race. However, Jakob was better today. So congratulations to him. Now it’s time for a break and I will spend some time with my family.”

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