Former World 1,500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot finished second at the Oslo Diamond League held today in Oslo, Norway.
Cheruiyot as the top Kenyan athlete at the event finished behind the home boy and world 1,500 m record holders Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Ingebrigtsen won the race in 3:29.74 ahead of Cheruiyot’s 3:29.79 and French international Azeddine Habz Completing the podium positions at 3:30.80.
Ingebrigtsen said that he really do not think that it was the decision he made to dive into the finish line but because everything just happened so fast, he can tell that it was a sprint off.
“It was a good race, I felt stronger than last time. So today, it was all about my improvement and at the same time, I wanted to do my best and to give the crowd the show. But I can tell you that I was getting sore in the last 50m. I was expecting someone to come from the outside so I was very prepared to give it 100 per cent,
he said.
He added: “I said yesterday already, that it is going to be an exciting summer. I know that this crowd was cheering for all of us but at the same time, they wanted a Norwegian victory. They are very enthusiastic and it helps a lot. Especially in the last lap and in the finish, the whole volume of the stadium rises and I wanted to give it the best, I didn’t want to lose even a second. I feel lucky that I was able to get healthy and get a couple of months of good training before the summer. Without that, we would definitely not be here in this position. Still, every day I feel better and better. About defending the titles at the Europeans and Olympics – I think yes.”
Cheruiyot said that racing with his compatriot, it makes him happy, because he’s a strong guy and he finished fast.
“I’m glad to be here in Oslo for the second time, the track is amazing. I was expecting the win but I’m satisfied I managed to run under 3:30 today. Now, I’m going home to prepare for the Kenyan trials – I need to finish in the top three. For the last nine months, I’ve been injured so I need to focus on training more to improve my fitness ahead of Paris, where I hope to get another medal for my country,” said Cheruiyot.
Other Kenyans like Stanley Mburu Waithaka finished in position 15th in the 5,000m after clocking 13:18.67 with Ethiopians Hagos Gebrhiwet and Yomif Kejelcha taking the first and second positions at 12:36.73 and 12:38.95 respectively before Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo winding out the podium in 12:40.96.
Caroline Nyaga was the best Kenyan in the 3,000m when she clocked 8:30.99 to finish in position 7 as Ednah Jebitok was 11th in 8:35.32 in a race won by Australian Georgia Griffith (8:24.20) followed by Ethiopian Linika Amabaw (8:24.29) and another Australian Jessica Hole ending the podium at 8:25.22.