NAIROBI, Kenya, May 16, 2025 – It was a plentiful harvest for Kenya at Friday night’s Diamond League in Doha as a number of athletes shone in their respective disciplines.
Faith Cherotich crowned a blissful outing for Kenya with a lung-bursting run in the last 50 metres to win the women’s 3000m steeplechase, edging out Kenyan-born Bahraini Winfred Yavi.
The Olympics bronze medalist clocked a world lead of 9:05.08 to cross the finish line ahead of the Olympic champion, who timed a season’s best of 9:05.26 in second place.
Ethiopia’s Sembo Alemayew clocked a season’s best of 9:09.27 to take third place.
Speaking after the win, Cherotich said the performance was a surprise to her.
“First of all, I am very surprised by this result and I did not expect to win today. I wanted to make sure that I secure this place and it worked well in the finish line. It was not an easy run because all uf us were here to win. It felt almost like Olympic final,” the world bronze medalist said.
The 2022 World Under 20 champion is fast establishing herself as one of the top female athletes on the globe.
Friday’s victory at the third leg of this year’s prestigious competition was her second successive Diamond League triumph following victory at last September’s final leg in Brussels, Belgium.
Razor sharp Reynold
In the men’s 5000m, Reynold Cheruiyot began his season in the best possible way with a personal best (PB) of 13:16.40 on his way to victory.
Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu came second in 13:17.70 as Birhanu Balew of Bahrain clocked the same time to finish third in a photo finish.
Cheruiyot said the win is the perfect way for him to prepare for an assault on the world title for the men’s 1500m at this year’s edition in Tokyo, Japan.
“I decided to hold some strength for the last part of the race and push hard in the last 400 metres. The Kenyan fans came to the stadium to cheer us and see us give our best. They gave me a lot of power. My focus for this season will be to be at the Tokyo World Championships and run the 1,500m race, so I’m preparing for that goal,” the 2022 World Under 20 champion said.
Another big winner on the night was the towering Nelly Chepchirchir who cruised to victory in the women’s 1500m after timing a season’s best of 4:05.00.
United States-based Susan Ejore, also of Kenya, clocked 4:06.27 in second place whereas Jemma Reekie of Great Britain (GB) came third after running 4:07:33.
Chepchirchir admitted she was nervous at first but was calmed by the large contingent of Kenyan fans in the stands.
“I’m thankful for the huge support of the crowd and especially of the Kenyans who came to the stadium tonight. I wasn’t expecting the race to be like this for me. When I entered the track I felt kind of stressed, that’s why it was very good for me to win in the end,” she said.
Kinyamal shines in men’s 800m
Commonwealth Games 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal came away with a third-place finish after clocking a season’s best of 1:43.37.
Tshepiso Maselela of Botswana clocked a world lead of 1:43.11 to clinch top honour, ahead of American Bryce Hoppels who ran 1:43.26 to finish second.
Kinyamal believes he will do better in his next race.
“The competition was good, I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward now to participate in another competition. I am going back to my country, to prepare myself very well, then I will decide which competition I will go next. The preparation ahead of the season was good and I am looking forward to compete in the World Championships. My next goal will be to achieve a better time,” he said.
