Mixed bag for Kenyan athletes at World Athletics event in Jamaica
In the 5000m men’s race, Kenya’s Ronald Kwemoi, finished fifth overall with a time of 14:40.64 in what was a frustrating race
Kenya’s 800m Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi showed exceptional finishing skill in the 2025 World Athletics-Kingston 1500m meet at the Grand Slam Track on Sunday in a time of 3:35.18 but came second in his traditional 800m event.
In the 1500m race, the 20-year-old sensation beat all top runners in the division as Yared Nuguse and Cole Hocker (Olympic 1500m champion) of the United States finished second and third in 3:35.36 and 3:35.52 respectively as Britain’s Neil Gourley and Josh Kerr were fourth and fifth in 3:35.60 and 3:35.61.
Hocker led for a while leaving Wanyonyi and the rest of the pack in his wake. Things began to shift at the bell with Nuguse led with 200m to go with Kerr on his shoulder followed by Wanyonyi. Wanyonyi then struck into the home straight and Nuguse could not match the Kenyan’s kick. Earlier, the North Rift-based athlete coached by legendary Janeth Jepkosgei ran a short-lived world road mile record of 3:54.6 in Germany 12 months ago; he won gold in the mixed relay at the World Cross Country Championships in 2023 and still impressive over the 800m with a quick time of 1:41.11 speeds.
Earlier in the 800m race, things took a turn as Canadian Marco Arop stunned Wanyonyi in a scintillating finish to win with a time of 1:45:13-a 1:33 second gap to second placed Wanyonyi who just did not get enough kick. The two time diamond league winner and world championship silver medalist finished runner-up in the race in a time of 1:46:44 with Bryce Hoppel of USA finishing third and earning a podium place with a time of 1:47:02.
Arop mastered a good strategy keeping at the back before attacking wide at the bell. It was good timing just before Wanyonyi could get his groove and attack his challenge that was already speeding ahead. The last 50 metres was electric with Wanyonyi closing in with power sprints but the lanky Arop held his own crossing the line for the sweet victory after applying good tactics from start to finish.
Meanwhile. in other events at the same venue, Kenyan athletes failed to deliver the goods in what was somewhat disappointing. In the 5000m men’s race, Kenya’s Ronald Kwemoi, finished fifth overall with a time of 14:40.64 in what was a frustrating race. The 29 year old Olympic silver medalist seemed to gas out in the final laps thus pointing to an endurance issue. He was also boxed in which made it difficult to manoeuvre his way out. The race itself had three Americans on the podium in a spectacular finish. Grant Fisher was first in a time of 14:39.14, Cooper Teare in a time of 14:39.31 and Dylan Jacobs in a time of 14:39.56.
In the Women’s 800m, 29 year old Susan Lokayo Ejore was fifth across the line with a time of 1:59.26 with her compatriot and Olympic Champion Mary Moraa finishing a disappointing eighth with a time of 2:00.97.Nikki Hiltz of the USA emerged top with a time of 1:58.23 ahead of Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji with a time of 1:58.29 and Australia’s Jessica Hull who crossed the line in a time of 1:58.58.
The women’s 3000m had Agnes Jebet Ngetich finish second place with a time of 08:28.75 behind Ethipia’s Ejgaheyu Taye who clocked a time of 08:28.42. Hellen Ekalale Lobun of Kenya was fourth in this race in a time of 08:42.51.
