Chepkoech, Cheruiyot among stars chasing glory in Zurich

Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech (right) and Bahrain's Winfred Mutile Yavi compete during Women's 3000m Steeplechase Final at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 in Budapest, Hungary on Aug 27. [Xinhua]

It is back to the Diamond League circuit after the thrilling contests at the just-concluded 2023 Budapest World Championships.

This evening, Diamond League action continues in Zurich, with stellar fields.

Among the big shots lining up for the battle in Zurich are stars seeking revenge following the highly contested World Championships (August 19 to 27).

The Diamond League circuit took a break after the London leg on July 23 to give athletes adequate time to prepare for the Budapest World Championships.

This evening in Zurich, Switzerland, 3000m steeplechase World Record Holder Beatrice Chepkoech will lead Kenyan charges in producing a stellar show.

Chepkoech is fresh from winning silver in her steeplechase specialty in the 19th edition of the World Championships.

Alongside Chepkoech in the 3000m steeplechase cast is the sensational youngster Faith Cherotich, who just brought home a bronze from Budapest.

Jackline Chepkoech, the former World Under-20 champion who finished 9th at the recently completed global showpiece, is in the mix.

Beatrice Chepkoech had said after her second-place finish in Budapest that she was gradually returning to competition from a nagging injury.

“The injury is not 100 percent healed but I am thankful that I am back and I can compete. It has been a long journey full of injuries, and setbacks in training. Only tears of joy flowing down my cheeks as I achieve a medal on a world stage,” the record holder said.

But the biggest name in Zurich tonight is Winfred Mutile Yavi of Bahrain, the newly crowned world 3000m steeplechase champion.

The Bahraini star will be hoping to confirm her authority, just four days after the glorious moment in Budapest.

The Kenyan women steeplechasers are also facing Olympic champion, Peruth Chemutai of Uganda in the battle for Diamond League honors.

The Diamond League circuit showdown shifts to Xiamen, China on Saturday.

It will thereafter move to Brussels on September 8 ahead of the final leg in Eugene on September 16 to 17.

“With the World Athletics Championships now behind them, the likes of Noah Lyles, Mondo Duplantis, and Sha'Carri Richardson are now setting their sights firmly on the Diamond League Final and the last global title of the year.

“Zurich is the first of three remaining series meetings this season, and a crucial opportunity for many athletes to boost their points tallies and secure their ticket to the series final in Eugene on September 16-17th,” Wanda Diamond League reported yesterday.

World Under-20 champion Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot and African champion Abel Kipsang – the two men whose mission to win medals in the 1500m Budapest collapsed under the strong challenge from global stars, will be looking to redeem their careers in Zurich.

Kipsang finished fourth and Cheruiyot came in eighth at the World 1500m contest in Budapest. They will be competing with the reigning World Champion Josh Kerr of Great Britain.

Norwegian Narve Gilje Nordas who won bronze at the World Championships will also be in contention alongside other 1500m big names that highlighted the Budapest showdown.

Yared Nuguse of the US, Neil Gourley (France), Mohamed Katir (Spain), and Niels Laros (Netherlands) will be chasing glory days after representing their respective nations at the World Championships.