Former World Junior Champion in the 3000m Steeplechase, Conseslus Kipruto continued his unbeaten run in the 2016 Athletics season as his perseverance paid off with a World Lead (WL) and Meeting Record (MR) of 8:00.12 at the Birmingham Diamond League on Sunday, June 5.
The 21-year old was isolated for most parts of the race with his competitors being unable to keep up with his speed. It was evident that Kipruto was tiring as he made his way down the home straight, but the cheering fans at the Alexander Stadium inspired him to his fourth consecutive victory.
Compatriots Paul Kipsiele Koech (8:10.19) and Barnabas Kipyego (8:14.74) followed in 2nd and 3rd, with stiff competitor Jairus Birech crossing the finishing line in 5th position in a time of 8:20.31.
Another Kenyan that enjoyed a brilliant outing at the Birmingham Diamond League was none other than the more experienced Asbel Kiprop who was no match for the rest of the field in the men’s 1500m.
The reigning World Champion widened the gap to set a WL and MR of 3:29.33, displacing Abdelaati Iguider as the World No.1. The Moroccan came in 2nd in 3:33.10, as New Zealand’s Nick Willis finished 3rd in 3:34.29
World Indoors 800m Champion Francine Niyonsaba was one athlete that did the African continent proud at the Birmingham Diamond League.
The 23-year old stormed to her first Diamond League victory in an MR of 1:56.92, inspiring France’s Renelle Lamote to set a Personal Best (PB) of 1:58.01 in 2nd place, with Canada’s Melissa Bishop placing 3rd in a Season’s Best (SB) of 1:58.48.
Kirani James wasn’t left out in the MR setting feat. The Olympic Champion came in as the man to beat, and didn’t disappoint as he took the lead with more than 100m to go, with Botswana’s Isaac Makwala hot on his heels.
The Grenadian set an MR of 44.23s as Makwala followed in 44.97s, while USA’s Vernon Norwood finished 3rd in 45.08s.
All eyes were on American Record holder in the 100m Hurdles, Kendra Harrison as she took to the track for her event. This was expected, considering the massive feat she accomplished the last time she competed, running to the second fastest time ever to win her event in Eugene.
Harrison wasn’t as fast at the Birmingham Diamond League as she had strong headwinds to contend with. That notwithstanding, the 23-year old attacked the hurdles like the pro she is, and her winning time of 12.46s was good enough for an MR.
Moscow 2013 World Champion Brianna Rollins and compatriot Kristi Castlin followed in 12.57s and 12.75s respectively, while European Champion Tiffany Porter finished 5th in 12.86s.
Olympic and Commonwealth Champion Sally Pearson made a return since recovering from injury that sidelined her for the better part of 2015. The 29-year took off from the blocks swiftly but then she faded into 7th position with a time of 13.25s.
World No.2 English Gardner put in a brilliant performance to win the women’s 100m final ahead of European Champion Dafne Schippers, who is still trying to come to terms with the fact that she’s lost a couple of races this season.
Both sprinters won their respective heats, but it was Gardner who came through to win the final, defying the winds to clock 11.02s, while a visibly disappointed Schippers posted 11.09s in 2nd, with Tianna Bartoletta coming 3rd in 11.11s. Dina Asher-Smith was 4th with a time of 11.22s.
Beijing 2015 Bronze medallist in the men’s 100m, Andre De Grasse sprung a surprise in the men’s 200m, racing to an SB of 20.16 after coming from behind to cross the finishing line ahead of Panama’s Alonso Edward (20.17s).
USA’s Sean McLean was 3rd in 20.24s, with Churandy Martina coming in 4th in 20.43s. Perhaps fatigue is already setting in for World No.2 Ameer Webb as the sprinter was nowhere close to the blazing form that produced a win in Rome last week, finishing 5th in 20.62s in Birmingham.
Cassandra Tate denied Eilidh Doyle the satisfaction of a win on home soil as both athletes crossed the finishing line in 54.57s, with Tate being handed the victory. World No.2 Georganne Moline came in 3rd (54.63s), while Bahrain’s Kemi Adekoya placed 5th in 55.28s.
Several non Diamond League events were competed in such as the men’s 100m, where two false starts were recorded. Both Churandy Martina and Aaron Brown were subsequently disqualified for beating the gun one after another.
The race was a close one as both Kim Collins and Michael Rodgers posted 10.11s. However the former World Champion got the verdict, while homeboy Chijindu Ujah placed 3rd in 10.12s, as Sean McLean came in 4th (10.24s).
Flora Guei of France set a PB of 50.84s to win the women’s 400m ahead of Christine Day who clocked an SB of 51.09s, with Australia’s Morgan Mitchell finishing 3rd with a PB of 51.25s.
Former Olympic and World Champion Christine Ohuruogu was expected to be a major contender in the race. However she struggled all through and was no where near the form that saw her claim global titles, coming in 7th in 52.40s.
Kenya’s David Rudisha has given his fans a glimpse of what to expect this season after erasing his MR in the men’s 600m and replacing it with a WL, Area Record, Diamond League Record (DLR) and of course MR of 1:13.10.
A spectator’s delight any day, double Olympic Champion Mo Farah added the 3000m National record (NR) to his growing list of records after storming to victory in a WL of 7:32.62.
Here is a review of the Field events at the Birmingham Diamond League.
Photo Credit: Jiro Mochizuki
