Kenyans Shine in Brussels Diamond League

Kenyans continued with the good performance after dismal showing in the London Olympics at the Memorial Van Dammes in Belgium’s capital of Brussels on Friday night.

The night, which marked the final leg of the 2012 Samsung Diamond League series, saw Vivian Cheruiyot, Emmanuel Bett and Silas Kiplangat win in their respective races.

In the men’s 1500m, Isaiah Kiplangat posted a time of 3:31.98 to emerge victorious and bag the Diamond Trophy with 16 points. Ethiopia’s Mekonnen Gebremehdin came in second ahead of Kenya’s Nixon Chepseba.

In the women’s 5000m, Vivian Cheruiyot also emerged victorious and took away the Diamond Trophy with 18 points, ahead of resilient compatriot Mercy Cherono. Cheruiyot clocked 14:46.01, more than a second clear of Cherono who recorded 14:47.18.

This was Cheruiyot’s third straight Diamond Race victory.

In the women’s 800m, Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba presented an upset to Pamela Jelimo winning in 1:56.59. Jelimo, however (1:57.24) cruised past her Russian rival Mariva Saminova (1:59.05) to win the Diamond Trophy.

In the 10,000m, Emmanuel Kipkemei Bett crossed the finish line in a world-leading time of 26:51.16 to win the title. He was followed by fellow compatriots Vincent Chepkok and Kenneth Kipkemoi who posted personal bests of 26:51.68 and 26:52.65 respectively.

In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Paul Kipsiele Koech won in 8:03.11 ahead of compatriot and namesake Conseslus Kipruto who posted a time of 8:03.49.

Each of the fifteen Diamond Trophy winners pocketed the $40,000 (approx. Sh3.4 million) jackpot.