Kinyamal rivalry with Algerian duo to play out in Doha

ATHLETICS Kinyamal rivalry with Algerian duo to play out in Doha

Abigael Wafula 09:15 - 02.05.2023

Among the trio, Kinyamal is the fastest in the field with a Personal Best of 1:43.12.

Two-time Commonwealth Games 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal will contend with Algerian duo of Slimane Moula and Djamel Sedjati when he lines up for the two-lap race at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha, Qatar on Friday, May 5.

Kinyamal will be renewing rivalry with the duo who showed him dust at the World Championships in Oregon last year. The race saw Kinyamal manage an eighth-place finish in the final as Sedjati settled for second place. Moula finished fifth.

Among the trio, Kinyamal is the fastest in the field with a Personal Best of 1:43.12. Sedjati is second with a PB of 1:43.69. Moula is the third fastest with a PB of 1:44.19.

Kinyamal started off his track outdoor season during the second Athletics Kenya weekend meet where he won the 800m. The meeting in Doha will be his first international competition.

Sedjati, just like Kinyamal, has only competed once, at the ACNW Athletics Provincial Championships in South Africa where he won the 600m race. For Moula, the Doha Meeting will be his first competitive race since the World Championships last year.

Kinyamal will enjoy the company of compatriot Noah Kibet who had a great start of his indoor tour over the 800m and will be keen to transfer the exploits as he kickstarts his outdoor tour. Kibet won the Lilac Grand Prix in January and extended the winning streak to the Millrose Games in February.

The 19-year-old competed at the World Championships last year but unfortunately faded to finish a disappointing 21st place in the semifinal of the 800m. As he lines up against senior athletes, he will be looking to heal last year’s heartbreak.

Others in the race include USA’s duo of Clayton Murphy and Erik Sowinski, Ireland’s Mark English, Morocco’s Moad Zahafi and Sweden’s Andreas Kramer. Musaeb Balla will also be in the mix and will hoping to use home advantage to stun his competitors.

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