KENYA RULES CHINA: Kiplagat, Kipchoge and Sum stage superlative shows in Shanghai

ATHLETICS-CHINA-DIAMOND
Silas Kiplagat of Kenya competes to win in the men's 1500m event at the Diamond League athletics meeting in Shanghai on May 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO

Kenya's bigwigs gave the athletics world an evening to remember when they staged brilliant shows at the second leg of the IAAF Diamond League here at Shanghai Stadium.

Silas Kiplagat, the man who made university cut-off mark but opted to concentrate on athletics, finally proved he made the right decision when he shook off the opposition and dashed for 1,500m victory.

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jairus Birech Kipchoge indicated clearly he is still in top form as he obliterated a classy 3,000m steeplechase line-up amid sonorous cheers from the fans.

And Eunice Sum, the world 800m champion and 2014 Diamond League Race Trophy winner, sounded warning shots to her rivals with an impressive win to top Diamond League Race chase with four points.

The men's 1,500m battle stood out unpredictable in initial stages until little known Hillary Cheruiyot, the 2012 world junior 1,500m silver medallist, stormed into the lead in the final lap as Kiplagat kept close tabs.

Kiplagat, who ran a jaw-dropping 3:27.64 in Monaco last year, then produced a sudden burst of speed to win in a world leading time of 3:35.29. It could not beat the Shanghai meet record of 3:31.42 set by Nixon Chepseba in 2011.

The 19-year-old Cheruiyot returned second in a personal best time of 3:35.40 as Collins Cheboi, a member of the 2013 World Championships, sealed the podium place in 3:35.46.

USA's Ben Blankenship, fresh from the Medley Relays in Bahamas and former Africa Youth champion Robert Biwott, wound up fourth and fifth in personal best times of 3:35.48 and 3:35.75 respectively.

Commonwealth Games 1,500m silver medallist James Magut (3:35.91), Holusa Jakub (3:35.98) of Czech Republic and Uganda's Ronald Musagala (3:36.23) followed.

Nixon Chepseba, the 2011 Diamond League winner and meet record holder at 3:31.42, came in distant ninth in a season best time of 3:36.37.

Kiplagat, the 2011 world silver medalist and alumnus of Chebara Secondary School in Marakwet, said: "I just felt I could win the race after the first lap. It's good there was no rain. I now prepare to compete in Eugene (Oregon, on May 27)."

Chepseba said his form is still picking up and will be eyeing his maiden championships medal as a senior this year.

Jairus Kipchoge outfoxed Diamond League record holder Brimin Kipruto (7:53.64), meet record holder Conseslus Kipruto (8:01.16) and three-time Diamond League Race winner Paul Kipsiele Koech to wear the water and barriers race crown in a world leading time of 8:05.36.

Kipsiele (8:11.39), Conseslus Kipruto (8:14.59), Commonwealth Games champion Jonathan Muia (8:15.54), Clement Kemboi (8:16.22 pb), former world champion Brimin Kipruto (8:18.55) and Olympic bronze medalist Abel Mutai (8:20.49) came in that order.

Sum won the two-lap race in 2:00.28, 25 seconds shy of USA Ajee Wilson's 2:00.03 world leading time. Malika Akkaoui (2:00.73) and former world champion Janet Jepkosgei (2:01.14) settled for second and third places.
US-based Carvin Nkanata, who held the 200m world lead, finished sixth in 20:58.

Viola Kibiwott (14:40.32) bowed to Ethiopia's Almaz Ayana (14:14.32) in the women's 5,000m duel.