Simiu, Rengeruk impress at Brussels Diamond League

Kenyan pair of Daniel Simiu and Lilian Rengeruk sailed to victories at the Brussels Diamond League on Friday night.

The Brussels meet was the penultimate leg of the 2023 Diamond League circuit ahead of next weekend’s final to be held in Oregon, USA.

Fresh from bagging silver at the World Championships in Budapest, Simiu clocked a new personal best of 26:57.80 to win the 10,000m non-Diamond League race. Jimmy Gressier of France finished second in 27:25.48 with Stanley Waithaka coming home third in 27:30.36

“It feels so good to win here tonight. The crowd was very good tonight and that definitely helped me. It was very hot and a lot of athletes suffered but I felt very good and this is where I train for. I am so thankful and I thank God that I finally ran such a good time.” Simiu said in the post-race interview.

On her part, Rengeruk reigned supreme in the women’s 5000m after clocking 14:26.46 ahead of Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa who finished second in 14:28.94. Winnie Jemutai and Edinah Jebitok placed fourth and ninth respectively.

“I am very happy with my win today. The crowd was so loud I found it hilarious and really helpful during my race. I´m just happy it felt good and I hope to get the win in Eugene.” Rengeruk said.

World Under-20 1500m champion Reynold Cheruiyot notched a new national record in the men’s 2000m after managing a second-place finish in 4:48.14 behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway who obliterated the world record in 4:43.13. Abel Kipsang placed seventh in 4:50.68

Commonwealth 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal (1:44.38) placed seventh over the two-lap race with Nelly Chepchirchir (3:56.93) settling for third in the women’s 1500m.