Jebet and Rotich each capture second Diamond League victory of the season

In the Stockholm 3000m steeplechase, ’16 world no. 1 Ruth Jebet faced a highly accomplished field that included the ’12 London Games gold and silver medalists, Habiba Ghribi and Sofia Assefa, respectively.  However, following pacer and fellow Personae team member Caroline Tuigong Chepkurui through 1000m in 2:58.07, resulted in Jebet completely separating herself from the competition and from that point was never threatened.  After a 2000m split of 6:01.28, Jebet went on to win handily in a meeting record 9:08.38, claiming 1st place in a Diamond League for the second time this year, and moving her up to a tie for 1st (with Hyving Kyyeng Kipkemoi) in the ’16 Steeple Diamond Race standings (26 points).  The Stockholm time was Jebet’s second-fastest career performance, and she now holds three of the world’s top seven steeple performances this season, with her top time from DL Eugene (8:59.97) being the world leader.

Ferguson Rotich also lined up against a top-notch 800m field in Stockholm featuring 12′ London champion and bronze medalist David Rudisha and Timothy Kitum, respectively, as well as ’13 world champion Mohamed Amman and ’15 world championships silver medalist, Adam Kszczot.  Once again using a strategy of staying back in the pack through lap 1, Rotich advanced through the field on the second lap, then caught and passed the leaders in the final 20 meters to take the victory in 1:45.07, ahead of Pierre-Ambroise Bosse (1:45.23), Kszczot (1:45.41), and Rudisha (1:46.69).  Kitum finished 6th (1:46.96).  Rotich’s second Diamond League top-finish of the year (along with DL Shanghai 800m) currently puts him in the lead of the this season’s 800m Diamond Race (26 points).

Noteworthy performances by other Personae-managed athletes in Stockholm included Purity Kirui in the 3000m SC (6th in 9:31.26) and Gesa Krause in the 1500m (9th in 4:06.99 personal best/’16 Europe no. 9).

The Diamond League circuit will now take a break, to accommodate continental championships and Olympic Trials, before it resumes with the Herculis meeting in Monaco on 15 July.

 

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