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The lad is primed for great success after making his mark in junior ranks.
World Cross-Country junior Champion Ishmael Kipkurui and the 2019 world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot have been confirmed for the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar scheduled for May 5.
The duo will join two-time world and Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon who will also be kick starting her track season in the Arab capital.
Kipkurui will be lining up for the 3000m race after a successful start of the season that saw him win the junior race in 24:29 at the World Cross-country championships in February. He extended the hot streak in Melbourne, where he won the 3000m race (7:41.38) at the Maurie Plant Meet.
On his part, Cheruiyot will also be opening his season with the meeting after placing second at last year’s meeting in Zurich in September. He did not have a great season last year and he will be hoping to redeem himself this year.
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13:00 - 19.03.2023
ATHLETICS World Champion Faith Kipyegon to kickstart track season in Doha
At last year's meet in Doha, Kipyegon ran a world-leading time of 3:52.59.
Others who have been added to the stellar meet include the reigning Wanda Diamond League champion (3000m SC), Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco.
He will be joined by Olympic and world 3000m SC silver medallist Lamecha Girma. The Ethiopian is also the world indoor 3000m record holder who clocked 7:23.81at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in February.
Olympic 10,000m champion and world indoor 3000m champion Selemon Barega of Ethiopia will also be in the mix. Two-time world indoor 3000m champion Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia and the world 5000m bronze medallist Oscar Chelimo of Uganda have also confirmed participation.
“This is a big year for me as I prepare to defend my world title in Budapest and I want to get it off to a good start. I was under pressure to win in Eugene last summer and that pressure remains as I continue to set myself big goals
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15:50 - 11.03.2023
ATHLETICS Ishmael Kipkurui narrates the tough balancing act between school and the track
The youngster’s main focus at the moment is qualifying for the World Championships in Budapest.
It takes hard work and sacrifice to be the best and know I still have more to give. By racing against such a strong field in this opening meeting of the Wanda Diamond League I will see how much work I still have to do,” said El Bakkali.
The 2023 Wanda Diamond League comprises 14 meetings in total, starting with Doha.
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