Krop, Waithaka to battle Ndikumwenayo and Lobalu in Brussels

World 5000m silver medallist Jacob Krop will square it out with the fast raising star Thierry Ndikumwenayo at the Brussels Diamond league which is the 12th leg of the Wanda Diamond League series that will be held on Friday (02) in Brussels, Belgium.

The 21 year-old who holds a personal best of 12:46.79 that he got this year at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea in Italy where he finished in second position, will tag along his compatriot, the World 10,000m bronze medallist Stanley Mburu as they seek to fight Ndikumwenayo and the 2019 World 10,000m silver medallist Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia.

Ndikumwenayo is fresh from winning the Monaco Diamond League 3000m race with a world leading time of 7:25.93, which is also the Burundi National Record. The Burundian bettered this mark from South Sudan’s Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu mark of 7:29.48 which was also this year’s world leading time.  Lobalu, a former refugee athlete, who won the 3,000m in Stockholm, will also face the four as they fight for the points towards the finals in Zurich.

Uganda will be represented by the World bronze medallist Oscar Chelimo who is the younger brother to World Half Marathon record holder Jacob Kiplimo. Chelimo comes to this race carrying on his shoulders a personal best time of 13:10.20 that he got in Oregon.

Canadian-born American, Grant Fisher who holds the American outdoor record in the 10,000m and the Indoor record in the 5000m of 26:33.84 and 12:53.73 respectively, will also be on the start line to fight for the top honors.

LEADING TIME

1. Jacob Krop                        (KEN) 12:46.79
2. Yomif Kejelcha                 (ETH) 12:46.79
3. Thierry Ndikumwenayo (BUR) 12:59.39
4. Stanley Mburu                 (KEN) 13:05.21
5. Oscar Chelimo                 (UGA) 13:10.20
6. Dominic Lobalu               (SUD) 13:34.18
7. Grant Fisher                     (USA) 12:53.73