Kenya wins big even as Rudisha fails to shine at Diamond League outing

Kenya’s world and Olympic men’s 800m champion David Rudisha failed to make much of an impact at his Diamond League outing in Shanghai on Saturday.

The world record holder fell behind in the home stretch of the 800m race, finishing fifth with fellow Kenyan, Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich snatching an unlikely win in one minute, 45.68 seconds.

Upset in the men's 800m as FergusonRotich takes the win over world champion Rudisha in 1:45.68 pic.twitter.com/eVOJN7NHHA

— IAAF (iaaforg) May 14, 2016

Rudisha ended up making a time of one minute, 46.24 seconds – his slowest in five years.

But there were more wins for Kenya as the country dominated the women’s long distance races.

Faith Kipyegon crossed the finish line in the women’s 1500m race at a time of three minutes 56.82 seconds.

Hyvin Kiyeng also gave Kenya more cause to smile as she powered to victory in the women’s 3000 metres steeplechase in nine minutes 7.42 seconds.

Ethiopian Muktar Edris won the men’s 5000 metres, waving to the crowd in the final straight with a personal best time of 12 minutes 59.96 seconds.

American Justin Gatlin who is recovering from an ankle injury, stepped up his preparations for the Rio Olympics with an impressive victory in the 100 metres.

Gatlin led from start to finish of the race winning in 9.94 seconds with Qatar’s Femi Ogunode, who was the quickest over 100m this year with 9.91 in Florida last month, finishing second with a time of 10.07 seconds.

American Olympic hurdle champion Aries Merritt, lost out on a Diamond League victory as he was disqualified for a false start paving the way for Omar McLeod to produce the year’s first sub-13 second performance to take his second Diamond League win this season.

Unfazed by two false starts, McLeod, a world indoor champion, made a strong start and went across the line in 12.98 seconds.

In the pole vault, American Sam Kendricks beat his personal best record by 6cm to beat world record holder and Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie and world champion Shawn Barber in a major upset.

Kendricks underlined his potential for Rio by clearing the bar at 5.88m at the third attempt. Lavillenie managed 5.83, failing twice at 5.88 before making one effort at 5.93. Canadian Barber was third with 5.70.

Croatia’s Olympic champion Sandra Perkovic claimed the women’s discus in style, her winning throw of 70.88 metres stting a new Diamond League record.

Reuters