The Memorial Ivo Van Damme, celebrating its 40th edition, once again served as the 14th and final stop on the IAAF Diamond League circuit.
100m Hurdles specialist Ann Zagre saved her most competitive performance of the season for last, running 12.82 in Brussels to finish a close 2nd behind ’16 world no. 4 Jasmin Stowers (12.78), while defeating ’16 Europe no. 4 Nadine Hildebrand (12.83) and ’16 European Champion and world no. 8 Cindy Roeleder (12.91). It was Zagre’s second-fastest 100mH performance of the year, behind her 12.78 from the heats at DL London, a time that ranks Zagre 7th in Europe this season.
In his first year on the top international circuit, reigning IAAF World Junior Champion Kipyegon Bett has already established himself among the world’s elite 800m runners (1:43.76 in Berlin). He continued the momentum in Brussels with a 1:44.44 clocking for a close 2nd behind Adam Kszczot (1:44.36). Meanwhile, Ferguson Rotich was the 800m Diamond Race leader, holding a 6 point-margin over Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, who only with a victory in Brussles could unseat Rotich. Consequently, with Rotich placing 4th (1:44.59) and Bosse 6th (1:44.63), Rotich clinched the season’s 800m Diamond Race title with 39 points ahead of Bosse’s 29 points. Rotich joined Ruth Jebet (3000m SC) as the second Personae athlete to with DL Race (points) titles this season.
Other Personae-managed athletes with noteworthy performances in Brussels included Nicholas Bett in the 3000m SC (4th in 8:11.20); Philip Milanov in the Discus (5th in 62.38), Alfred Kipketer in the 800m (5th in 1:44.61), and Alice Aprot Nawowuna in the 5000m (6th in personal best 14:39.56). Also in the 1500m, Hillary Ngetich was 12th in 3:35.31, Ismael Debjani 14th in 3:36.23, and Pieter-Jan Hannes 15th in 3:36.90.
Finally, special mentioning goes to Paul Kipsiele Koech, who finished 14th in the 3000m SC (8:29.18). Koech was recognized in the stadium for his achievements during a sixteen years-long international career as a steeplechaser, which included an Olympic bronze medal (’04 Athens), three Diamond Race points titles (2010-2012), a personal best of 7:53.31 (3rd fastest performer in history), four end-of-year no. 1 world rankings, and 67 sub-8:10 performances in his specialty event.