Diamond League a**lysis: How Chepkoech made statement win as Kinyamal beaten

Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech was among the athletes who left marks at the Diamond League meeting of the season that was characterised by surprises.

Selemon Barega and Akani Simbine were the other stars who posted top-level performances in Suzhou Diamond League showdown.

Meanwhile, Chepkoech was dominant in the women’s 3000m steeplechase. The world record-holder was dominant despite the fact that she was not feeling well.

The Kenyan followed her win in Xiamen with a victory in 9:07.36, ahead of Uganda’s Olympic champion, Peruth Chemutai. Germany's Gesa Felicitas Krause was third in what was her first steeplechase race since the 2022 World Championships following the birth of her daughter in April 2023.

The German’s two-time world bronze medallist clocked 9:16.24.

In the men's 5000m, the penultimate showdown saw Barega win as Ethiopia’s Olympic 10,000m champion started his season with a victory. He saw off stiff competition from his compatriot Biniam Mehary, who was racing just his second-ever 5000m.

Barega registered a strong finish to cut the tape in 12:55.68, with Mehary completing his race in 12:56.37. The Ethiopians were too strong for Kenya’s world cross-country bronze medallist Benson Kiplang'at, who came in third with a personal best of 12:58.78.

Kinyamal finishes second

Wycliffe Kinyamal was second after he was beaten by Slimane Moula, who secured the top spot in the men’s 800m. Moula clocked 1:43.38, compared to Kinyamal's 1:43.12.

It was a dominant Ethiopian show again in the 500m women's race, where 18-year-old Mekedes Alemeshete won in 14:36.70 ahead of her compatriot Ayal Dagnachew (14:36.86), who is the 2021 world U20 800m champion.

Letesenbet Gidey, the 2022 world 10,000m champion and world record holder, was third in what was her first race since finishing second in the New York Marathon in November.