Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich returned to his way of winning when he took the 1000m race title and setting a world lead and personal best at the sixth edition of the Stockholm Diamond League that was held on Sunday (10) in Stockholm, Sweden.
Rabbit Bram Som was tasked with going through 400 in 52.5 (2:11.25 pace), a crazy-fast split given that the world record is 2:11.96. Som did his job, hitting one lap in 52.62, and surprisingly he had company in the form of Sweden’s Andreas Kramer. At the bell (1:20), and with Som gone, Kramer led the field by 15 meters, but the kickers were coming for him.
Sadik Mikhou from Bahrain was the first to give chase, closing Kramer down around the first turn, but it was Rotich, 5th at the 2016 Olympics, who was moving fastest of all down the back stretch and he held the lead at 800 in 1:48.8.
Rotich was unchallengeable as he led the rest of the way to win in 2:14.88 with Mikhou coming in second with a personal best of 2:16.09. British Jake Wightman, who could only manage 9th in the mile in Oslo three days ago, was better here as he closed well to run a Scottish record of 2:16.27.
Polish Kszczot Adam and Burudi’s Gakeme Antoine crossed the line in fourth and fifth place in 2:16.58 and 2:16.85 respectively.
The 2016 World U20 Champion, Kipyegon Bett who has not performed well this season finished a distant sixth place in 2:16.98.
LEADING RESULTS
MEN
- Ferguson Rotich (KEN) 2:14.88
- Mikhou Sadik (BAH) 2:16.09
- Weightman Jake (GBR) 2:16.27
- Kszczot Adam (POL) 2:16.58
- Gakeme Antoine (BUR) 2:16.85
- Kipyegon Bett (KEN) 2:16.98
Facebook Comments