Kipruto, Obiri Lead 27 Kenyans For DL Finale
Olympic men’s steeples champion Conseslus Kipruto and World 5000m champ Hellen Obiri lead 27 Kenyans for the (Thursday & Friday) Diamond League finale in Zurich and Brussels.
The circuit which kicked off in Doha in May had its highs & lows for the local athletes as the scramble for qualifying points got hotter & hotter with upsets and injuries notwithstanding. Some had to tow off midstream in the prestigious series that brings together the best of the world.
Now, the wait is over. The eagerly awaited finals are here with the first showdown going down in Weltklasse, Zurich on 30 August. Then the second finale gunning off at the AG Memorial Van Damme in Brussels on 31 August.
Kipruto has a big onus to guard his honours thanks to the emergence of his country mate in Benjamin Kigen who knocked on stardom in Eugene Diamond League. The presence of American champion Evan Jager and Ethiopia’s Chala Beyo will not make things better in water & barriers showdown.
Other Kenyans who made a cut of 12 to join the finalists includes youthful stars in Leonard Bett and Nicholas Kiptonui Bett. Also in the line up is Abraham Kibiwott, Amos Kirui and the experienced star Jairus Birech.
Obiri who is been having a quite but tactical season will be leading charges in women 12 lap event. She has Agnes Tirop for a back up in a final that will be decided in a dramatic championship style.
Another Kenyan who has had a pretty good run this season is Lilian Kasait. She will be parading together with her country mates Caroline Chepkoech & Margaret Chelimo on a big task ahead which includes Ethiopian sensation-world 1500m champ Genzebe Dibaba.
In men’s 1500m, the big man Timothy Cheruiyot is an almost obvious prospect to take on the top crown after topping the leaders board with 32 points. This alongside a whooping $50,000 prize money. Cheruiyot who has virtually ruled the 2018 metric event will be up against his training mate Elijah Manangoi and Charles Simotwo.
American based Kenyan Emmanuel Korir will not be easily toasting the cherry in men’s 800m as he will face off a star studded field that has Kenya’s prodigy in Wycliffe Kinyamal. Also in parade is Kiptere-man Ferguson Cheruiyot and the unpredictable star in Jonathan Kitilit.
Interestingly Kenya is done poorly in men’s 5000m event with only Richard Yator luckily qualifying for the finals. Yator finished on 10th with 5points with the nearest being Cyrus Rutto managing on 3points for 13th place.
Another much awaited event, is women 3000m steeples where Beatrice Chepkoech will take on her country mate Hyving Kiyeng who tops the board with 28 points.
They will have to be weary of the American champ Emma Coburn spoiling the party. Also in a line up is Commonwealth Games silver medalist Celliphine Chespol, Norah Cheruto, Daisy Jepkemei, Rosefline Chepngetich and new Jamaican sensation Aisha Praught, a gold winner in 2018 Commonwealth Games .
Margaret Wambui will be leading 800m onslaught that has South African and World champ Caster Semenya. Wambui will be joined by her teammates Nelly Jepkosgei, Emily Cherotich and Eunice sum.
