Kiprop, Obiri make big starts

 Double world champion Asbel Kiprop and fellow Kenyan Hellen Obiri launched the new Diamond League season with sparkling displays in Doha on Friday.

Kiprop captured a fast-paced 1,500 metres in a meeting record three minutes 29.18 seconds. Compatriot Silas Kiplagat was second in 3:29.70 as six men dipped under 3:31.

Obiri, women’s world 1,500 bronze medallist, shattered the African record in the 3,000 as she clocked 8:20.68, the fastest time ever by a non-Chinese runner. Fellow countrywoman Mercy Cherono was second in 8:21.14 as the two Kenyans became the fifth and sixth fastest performers of all time in the event.

World indoor champion Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia, who had dominated the indoor season, ran a personal best 8:26.21 but could only finish sixth.  Men’s Olympic high jump champion Ivan Ukhov of Russia recorded a season-leading 2.41 metres to pip Canadian Derek Drouin and American Erik Kynard who tied for second at 2.37.Olympic and world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica edged Nigerian Blessing Okagbare to win the women’s 100 in 11.13 seconds.


Results: Men: 200M: Nickel Ashmeade (Jam) 20.13, 1; Warren Weir (Jam) 20.31, 2; Femi Ogunode (Qtr) 20.38, 3. 400M: LaShawn Merritt (US) 44.44, 1; Yousef Ahmed Masrahi (Saudi Arabia) 44.77, 2; Pavel Maslak (Cze) 44.79, 3. 800M: Mohammed Aman (Eth) 1:44.49, 1; Nijel Amos (Bot) 1:44.54, 2; Ferguson Rotich (Ken) 1:44.82, 3. 1500M: Asbel Kiprop (Ken) 3:29.18, 1; Silas Kiplagat (Ken) 3:29.70, 2; Ayanleh Souleiman (Dji) 3:30.16, 3. 110M hurdles: David Oliver (US) 13.23, 1; Sergey Shubenkov (Rus) 13.38, 2; Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (Fra) 13.42, 3. 3000M steeplechase: Ezekiel Kemboi (Ken) 8:04.12, 1; Brimin Kiprop Kipruto (Ken) 8:04.64, 2; Paul Kipsiele Koech (Ken) 8:05.47, 3. High jump: Ivan Ukhov (Rus) 2.41, 1; Derek Drouin (Can) and Erik Kynard (US) 2.37, 2. Long jump: Louis Tsatoumas (Gre) 8.06, 1; Luis Rivera (Mex) 8.04, 2; Ignisious Gaisah (Ned) 8.01, 3. Discus throw: Piotr Malachowski (Pol) 66.72, 1; Vikas Gowda (Ind) 63.23, 2; Gerd Kanter (Est) 62.90, 3.Women: 100M: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jam) 11.13, 1; Blessing Okagbare (Nig) 11.18, 2; Kerron Stewart (Jam) 11.25, 3 800M: Eunice Jepkoech Sum (Ken) 1:59.33, 1; Chanelle Price (US) 1:59.75, 2; Lenka Masna (Cze) 2:00.20, 3. 3000M: Hellen Onsando Obiri (Ken) 8:20.68, 1; Mercy Cherono (Ken) 8:21.14, 2; Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon (Ken) 8:23.55, 3. 400M hurdles: Adekoya Kemi (Bah) 54.59, 1; Kaliese Spencer (Jam) 55.07, 2; Eilidh Child (Gbr) 55.43, 3. Pole vault: Nikoleta Kiriakopoulou (Gre) 4.63, 1; Yarisley Silva (Cub) 4.53, 2; Kristina Gadschiew (Ger) 4.43, 3. Triple jump: Caterine Ibargueen (Col) 14.43, 1; Olha Saladuha (Ukr) 14.32, 2; Kimberly Williams (Jam) 14.15, 3. Shot put: Valerie Adams (NZ) 20.20, 1; Yuliya Leantsiuk (Blr) 18.78, 2; Anita Marton (Hun) 18.32, 3. Javelin throw: Martina Ratej (Slv) 65.48, 1; Kimberley Mickle (Aus) 65.36, 2; Sunette Viljoen (SA) 64.23, 3.