After losing a close race to reigning 3000m steeplechase world champion Hyving Kieng in last week’s ’17 Diamond League season opener in Doha, steeplechase WR holder Ruth Jebet turned the tables on her rival at the circuit’s second stop in Shanghai, winning the 3000m SC in convincing fashion with a time of 9:04.78, ahead of Kieng’s 9:06.72. Behind this duo, Celliphine Chespol solidified her breakthrough into the steeplechase world elite this season by finishing 3rd in 9:07.08. The time was her second straight sub-9:10 performance, following her new steeplechase junior world record of 9:05.70 in the 3000m SC in Doha. 5th placer Purity Kirui also ran her fastest time of the young season, 9:24.97.
While ’16 IAAF World Junior Champion at 800m Kipyegon Bett had already established himself as a top contender last season (1:43.76 at ISTAF Berlin), he won his first Diamond League race in Shanghai (1:44by defeating 2-time Olympic Champion and 800m WR holder David Rudisha (4th in 1:45.36), as well as Personae teammates Ferguson Rotich (3rd in 1:14.17) and Alfred Kipketer (5th in 1:45.40).
With a season-best best Discus throw of 64.94m, Philip Milanov also won in Shanghai, beating a world-class filed that included ’15 IAAF world champion and ’16 Rio Games silver medalist Piotr Malachowski (2nd 64.36m), ’16 Rio Champion Christoph Harting (5th in 63.47m), and ’15 IAAF WC bronze medalist Robert Urbanek (6th in 61.94m). It was Milanov’s 3rd career DL victory, his previous two coming in Lausanne (’16) and London (’15).
Finally, steeple specialist Gesa Krause made her international debut in the 5000m, finishing in 12th place with a personal best time of 15:24.53.