Athletics: Manangoi leads Kenyan stars in Stockholm meet

Timothy Cheruiyot with his Diamond League trophies at his rural home in, Bomet. [Dennis Okeyo, Standard]

The 2018 Diamond League 1,500m trophy holder Timothy Cheruiyot will undoubtedly be looking to assert his authority after finishing second at the Doha Diamond League earlier this month as the 2019 series enter the third leg in Stockholm, Sweden on Thursday.

Cheruiyot, an impressive winner of seven IAAF Diamond League meetings last year, lost the opening leg in Doha to his compatriot and training partner world champion Elijah Manangoi, and once again, the duo will toe the line again in a mouthwatering clash in Stockholm. 

The Kenyans are likely to face stiff opposition from all the three Ingebrigtsen brothers – Henrik, Filip and European 1,500m and 5,000m champion Jakob.

Also in the lineup is world under-20 1,500m Champion George Manangoi and Ethiopian duo of Samuel Tefere and Aman Wote.

“In Doha, I wasn’t a hundred per cent fit. I had just recovered from a slight leg injury and I had not done enough speed work. I have great memories from 2017 Stockholm meeting and hope I will register my first victory this season. My goal is to defend my Diamond League Trophy and become World Champion later in the year,” Cheruiyot told Standard Sports.

"It was a good decision for me to kick off my Diamond League season in Doha. I have had a long training session in Nairobi and I can't wait to race again in Stockholm against the best in the world," he said. "My aim is to return in Doha in October for the World Championships."

In women’s 5,000m red-hot World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri is expected to continue with her dominance in the event. Obiri is undefeated this year. She won the 3,000m at the opening leg of the IAAF Diamond League in Doha earlier this month in a world-leading 8:25.60.

She also won the Great Manchester 10km road race.

Obiri’s challengers will include compatriots world 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tirop and Margaret Chelimo.

There is also the versatile Caroline Chepkoech and Lilian Kasait.

The field will also feature former Kenyan Yasemin Can of Turkey and Ethiopian Fantu Worku.

With Caster Semenya, the two-time 800-meter Olympic champion from South Africa, Kenyan Olympics bronze medallist Margaret Nyairera and Burundian Francine Niyonsaba missing following the new track and field rule that restricts testosterone levels, USA’s Ajee Wilson and Nelly Jepkosgei of Kenya will be the main stars to watch in the two-lap event.

Athletes will also compete in the 10,000m non-Diamond League event.