Kimeli could've run faster. Looked like he was holding back as Kejelcha was starting tire up. Jacob Krop also finally realises the potential we saw at the worlds in 2019.
The Ethiopians can have the steeple. We'll take the the 5K 😊
Every time people write off Kenya, we pull a rabbit out of the hat.
You are the one who is writing off Kenya in the steeplechase. I consider this to be foolish. Plus nobody with a brain would write off Kenya when it comes to distance running. The main issue is some of your best talent does roadracing instead of the track.
What's foolish is thinking any current Kenyan is capable of beating Girma and El Bakkali in the steeple this year. Plain unrealistic. Not happening.
These last couple of years have been the weakest for Kenya in more than 50 years because AK sat on their backsides ignoring the warning signs instead of doing their job. They took the steeple for granted and didn't develop the right talent. I predicted as much in 2019 when we had to rely on an injury-ravaged Conseslus to save Kenya's honour. There's similar negligence and reliance on one star in the women's 1500m when Ethiopia has several new stars coming through. Hopefully only managing a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics was the shock needed to spur them into action.
No. Kenya will not win gold in the steeple at the worlds in Eugene. And likely not in Budapest, next year. But I'm super optimistic about the current U20 champion Amos Serem (who ran very well for a PB in Rome, btw). I think he has the potential to become the next Ezekiel Kemboi and should be ready to challenge for gold by Paris 2024. I hope he's getting better guidance than that other former youth champ, Leonard Kipkemboi Bett, who sadly seems to have plateaued at a relatively young age despite showing great potential a few years ago.
Don’t understand the Kejelcha hate here. He was running to make the Ethiopian team and now has the second fastest time. That’s doing what needed to be done. I’d hope the teams are: 5k- Edris, Aregawi, Barega, Kejelcha
On the Kenyans, great to see Krop have his long-awaited breakthrough. Kimeli is also in supreme form, and he ran such a patient race. It’s rather crazy that Paul Chelimo pulled the track version of Draymond Green stuff to edge him in last year’s Olympic finals. Could Chelimo have made it 2k in this race? Kenyan 5,000m running is at a strong level, and I’m not so sure Ebenyo will be able to hold off all the young challengers like Kemboi and Kibet. Top 2 looked supreme tonight.
Fisher just got dusted by a guy who hasn't broken 13, and you think he's gonna mix it up in a big time DL 5k race? Disrespectful to guys like Solinsky, Ritz, Rupp that actually did that in their careers. Weren't just time trial champions.
On the Kenyans, great to see Krop have his long-awaited breakthrough. Kimeli is also in supreme form, and he ran such a patient race. It’s rather crazy that Paul Chelimo pulled the track version of Draymond Green stuff to edge him in last year’s Olympic finals. Could Chelimo have made it 2k in this race? Kenyan 5,000m running is at a strong level, and I’m not so sure Ebenyo will be able to hold off all the young challengers like Kemboi and Kibet. Top 2 looked supreme tonight.
What Chelimo did to Kimeli in Tokyo was veritable violence which, unfortunately, is a pattern. He then went on to run his mouth about their personal beef on the LR podcast after Nicholas told Kenyan media that what Paul did was a disqualifiable offence. I've never been a fan. Seems to be in constant search of a bar fight and is the type to pick a fight with his own shadow if no one's around.
Nicholas Kimeli is the superior athlete and does all his talking on the track. Told Kenyan media last year that he felt he's as good as the world's best and only needed to work on his finish. The way he closed shows that he's fixed the problem.
Looking at the splits, it’s very clear both Krop and Kimeli could’ve gone even faster but they waited to pounce. Kimeli closes with 13.8/13.1 as part of a 57.1 last lap. That last 100 is absolutely studly. Krop with a 41.8 last 300 running pretty flat-out with 300 to go. Monster effort with his PB over 13 coming in.
I agree Edris now the danger man if the pace lags at all in Eugene. Most vicious sprintee in the field and if he’s in 12:50 shape by then…Good stuff from the Worku/Kejelcha/Edris/ group seemingly booking 3 spots. Telahun Bekele also resurrected his career.
I haven't been this excited about a Kenyan DL performance in years. I knew Nicholas Kimeli had it in him especially after seeing him at the Adidas Adizero Road to Records. But Jacob Krop surprised me. I expected good things from him but had him pegged as a 12:55ish type runner. And as if I haven't mentioned it enough, Levy Kibet 13:01 is just 18 years old. Things have never looked this promising for Kenyan 5k.
Is Ben True still the only American to win a Diamond League 5000m?
Seems like Kejelcha secured his spot on the 5000m team as the only one with an SB ahead of him is Aregawi. So even if they give Edris the bye, it's Edris, then Aregawi, Kejelcha, Barega by SBs. Crazy that the #6 overall performer (and silver medalist from Doha) won't be in the 10000m.