NAIROBI, Kenya, May 3 – World Cross Country champion Hellen Obiri has done it again, this time opening the 2019 IAAF Diamond League season with a dramatic Doha victory in the women’s 3000m race on Friday night.
Obiri, the 5000m world title holder stormed to a World Lead of 8:25.60 after flooring perennial rival Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia who settled for second in a Personal Best of 8:26.20.
Settling for third is Kenyan and 2017 World Cross bronze medallist Lillian Kasait who crossed the line in a Personal Best of 8:29.02.
“The final lap was very tough but I’ve always posted a good result in the final 100 metres,” said Obiri, who displayed brute strength over the final 200 metres that belies her tiny frame.
With just over a lap remaining, Obiri blasted past compatriot Gloriah Kite to take command of the race, with Dibaba shadowing in stiff pursuit.
But every time the Ethiopian managed to nudge a bit closer, Obiri managed to fight back as she eventually lead the first six finishers across the line in under 8:30.
The only other time that has happened was in Doha five years ago in a race that was also won by Obiri.
-Manangoi win-
In the men’s 1500m race, world champion Elijah Manangoi launched the new season on a scintillating fashion as he won in a World Lead time of 3:32.21,beating his compatriot and team-mate Timothy Cheruiyot who came second in a Season’s Best of 3:32.47 as Birgen Bethwel closed the podium sweep in 3:33.12.
“My target for the year is to successfully defend my title in Doha and it is good to start with a win at the same venue where the World Championships will be held. The stadium is beautiful and I love the turnout and the support from the fans,” Manangoi said after the win.
Kenyans took the first seventh spots, rounded out by Manangoi’s younger brother George, the world U18 and U20 champion, who clocked 3:34.00, a personal best.
-Korir lose to Amos-
The men’s 800 was a thriller, another neck-and-neck homestretch war between Emmanuel Korir and Nijel Amos of Botswana. This time, Amos prevailed, pulling ahead of his Kenyan rival in the final 50 metres to take a hard-earned victory in 1:44.29.
Amos, who handed Korir his only loss of 2018 to snatch the African title, shadowed his taller rival for much of the final lap until the pair passed Qatari Abubaker Haydar Abdallah with just over 100 metres to go. As Abdallah faded, Amos made his move.
“I was expecting the win but it was tough out there,” said the winner, who is tied with Sebastian Coe as history’s third fastest man at 1:41.73. “Winning my first race of the season gives me a good feeling.”
Korir clocked 1:44.50 and Donovan Brazier of the US 1:44.70 in third.
-Additional reporting from IAAF-