Kenya’s Faith Cherotich delivered a sensational performance at the Meeting de Paris on Friday night, clocking a world-leading time and personal best of 8:53.37 in the women’s 3000m steeplechase. The Olympic bronze medalist claimed her third Diamond League victory of the season in dominant fashion.
Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, the 2020 Olympic champion, came in second with a strong 8:54.41, while Ethiopia’s Sembo Alemayew settled for third in 9:01.22.
Kenya’s success continued in the women’s 1500m as Nelly Chepchirchir surged to a season-best 3:57.02 to win the event. She held off a strong challenge from Ireland’s Sarah Healy (3:57.15) and Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom (3:57.50). Susan Ejore, another Kenyan Olympian, finished eighth in the tightly contested race.
In a standout moment of the evening, Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech broke the World U20 record in the men’s 1500m, clocking an astonishing 3:27.72. Although it was not a Diamond League event, the 18-year-old finished second behind France’s Azzedine Habz in a race that drew widespread acclaim.
However, not all Kenyan athletes fared well. Two-time Commonwealth champion Wycliff Kinyamal struggled in the 800m, finishing 11th in a race won by Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui in 1:42.73. The men’s 5000m also proved difficult for the Kenyan contingent, with Jacob Krop finishing 12th and Boaz Kiprugut failing to finish. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha dominated that race in 12:47.84.
In the field events, Kenya’s Julius Yego, the former Olympic silver medalist, threw 80.26m to secure sixth place in the men’s javelin. The event was won by India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra with an impressive 88.16m.
The Diamond League now heads to Eugene, USA, for its ninth stop, scheduled for July 5.
Written By Rodney Mbua
