Attention now shifts to the final Diamond League showdown in Zurich on August 27 and 28 after mixed results at the Brussels meet on Friday night.
Just a week to the two-day final, some Kenyan big shots preparing to fly the country’s colours at the Tokyo World Championships from September 13 – 21 continue to dictate the proceedings while others face strong opposition barely three weeks to the global showpiece.
10km world record holder Agnes Ngetich, who will be doubling for Kenya in 5000m and 10,000m as well as sprinter Mercy Oketch, who will represent the country in the women’s 400m stamped their authority in Brussels.
Ngetich powered to victory in the women’s 5000m while Oketch dazzled in the 400m race as she delivered her first ever Diamond League win.
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The Brussels meet winners (Ngetich and Oketch) join the list of Tokyo-bound stars who have lined up in Diamond League races to confirm their form ahead of the World Championships.
Ngetich, who was in a class of her own topped the race in 14:24.99, leaving Ethiopian athletes Likina Amebaw (14:31.51) and Aleshign Baweke (14:31.88) battling for the second and third places.
Four-time world champion Faith Kipyegon and double Olympic gold medallist Beatrice Chebet have been phenomenal in the Diamond Leagues so far.
Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who has exceptionally dominated the Diamond League this season, winning the men’s 800m Monaco, Stockholm, Oslo and London and Olympic and world 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist Faith Cherotich, the star who triumphed in Qatar, Oslo and Paris and played second fiddle to her main challenger Winfred Yavi of Bahrain at Hayward Field in Eugene are also among stars who have stood out this season.
Kenyans who finished in podium positions in Brussels said their sights are firmly on World Championships.
Running faster times in Brussels was also in their plans but conditions disrupted the rhythms.
“I’m happy with the win but I wanted to run faster. I really wanted to improve my PB but I had to push alone and it was hard. The next thing now is to focus on the World Championships,” Ngetich said after victory.
About her dream at the World Championships, Ngetich said the plan is to be on the podium in at least one race between the 5000m and 10,000m.
“I’m doubling the 5000m and 10,000m and I’m really ambitious. I want to make at least one podium, that is the most important thing. The focus is to get a medal at the highest stage in the world,” said Ngetich.
Oketch, who ran the women’s 400m invitational race said her next competition would likely be the Tokyo World Championships.
She crossed the line first in 51.26, defeating Belgian sprinters Imke Vervaet and Helena Ponette who timed 51.27 and 51.45 respectively for the second and third places.
“I’m not completely happy with this time but I did the best I could. This is my first Diamond League ever and I really enjoyed it. It was nice to compete in such a packed stadium. I’m not sure when my next race will be, maybe Tokyo,” Oketch said after her first Diamond League victory.
Rising star Phanuel Koech faced a strong challenge from Dutchman Niels Naros while Nelly Chepchirchir, also in the Kenyan brigade to Tokyo was held off by American Nikki Hiltz and Australian Linden Hall in the 1500m races.
Koech finished second while Chepchirchir came in the third in her category. Reynold Cheruiyot was fifth behind USA’s Yared Nuguse and Portuguese Isaac Nader.
Africa’s fastest 100m sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala who will be representing Kenya in the 100m and the men’s 4x100m in Tokyo finished 7th in the invitational contest, clocking 10.49.
Former world javelin champion Julius Yego threw 80.50m to finish fifth in a contest dominated by European champion Julian Weber of Germany who delivered a 89.65m.