Doha Diamond League: Tebogo cruises, Masalela on fire, Cherotich delights
Doha Diamond League: African athletes shine, with several from the continent taking gold in their events
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Letsile Tebogo, the man to beat
Olympic champion in Paris last summer, Letsile Tebogo is now in demand on every track. At the Doha meeting on 16 May, part of the Diamond League, the Botswanan did not disappoint, winning the 200m in 20s10, ahead of American Courtney Lindsey, 2nd in 20sec11. Liberian John Fahnbulleh caused a surprise by finishing 3rd in 20 sec 26.
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Another Botswanan, Tshepiso Masalela, created a sensation by taking gold in the 800m, in a time of 1:43.11. That is quite simply the best performance in the world this year over the distance. He finished ahead of American Bryce Hoppel (1:43.26) and Kenyan Wycliffe Kinyamal (1:43.37). Another standout men's performance at this Diamond League was Kenyan Reynold Cheruiyot's win in the 5000m in 13:16.40.
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Faith Cherotich unstoppable
In the women's events, another African athlete produced the world's best performance of the year at this Diamond League meeting: Faith Cherotich, barely 20 years old. The Kenyan won the steeplechase in 9:05.08. She finished ahead of Bahrain's Winfred Yavi and Ethiopian Sembo Almayew.
In the 1500m, Kenyan Nelly Chepchirchir triumphed in 4:05.00. The runner, barely 21, is emerging as a serious contender for the remaining races this year, and for the future too.