Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet delivered a sensational performance at the Rabat Diamond League on Sunday, clocking the second-fastest time ever in the women’s 3000m. The double Olympic champion stormed to victory at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in 8:11.56, setting a world-leading time, a meeting record, and an African area record.
Chebet, 25, surged to the front with 1,200 meters to go and powered through the final three laps alone, finishing just five seconds shy of the long-standing world record of 8:06.11 set by China’s Wang Junxia in 1993. The performance also marked her second Diamond League win of the season, following her 5000m world-leading triumph in Xiamen last month.
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti placed second in 8:26.56, while Ireland’s Sarah Healy claimed third in 8:27.02.
In other Kenyan highlights, Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi settled for third with a season-best 1:43.47. The race was won by Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela in 1:42.70, followed closely by Britain’s Max Jurgin.
Sprint star Ferdinand Omanyala clocked 10.05 seconds in the 100m to finish second behind South Africa’s Akani Simbine, who won in 9.95 seconds. American Fred Kerley took third in 10.07.
In the men’s 1500m, Kenyan-born American Jonah Koech claimed victory in a meeting record of 3:31.43. Kenyans Reynold Cheruiyot and Festus Lagat followed closely in second (3:31.78) and third (3:32.06), respectively.
The host nation also celebrated Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali’s emphatic win in the 3000m steeplechase. He thrilled the Moroccan crowd with a world-leading time of 8:00.70. Germany’s Frederick Rupert finished second in 8:01.49, while Kenya’s Edmund Serem, the reigning world U20 champion, posted a personal best of 8:07.47 for third.
The Rabat meet provided another thrilling chapter in the 2024 Diamond League season, showcasing both veteran brilliance and emerging talent on the global stage.
