Abel Kipsang seeking consolation at Diamond League after Kip Keino Classic shocker

After a disappointing outing at the Kip Keino Classic where he failed to defend his 1500m crown, Abel Kipsang will be seeking redemption when he lines up against a strong field for the Diamond League Meeting in Rabat on Sunday, May 28.

Kipsang, 26, was outsmarted by youngster Reynold Cheruiyot who cruised past him just a few meters to the finish line.

In a pre-race interview, Kipsang was confident about defending his title but unfortunately left the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani unsatisfied.

He will be hoping to make a statement when he fights for top honours with some of the greatest 1500m runners including Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and USA’s Yared Nuguse.

Nuguse and Ingebrigtsen line up as pre-race favourites and they will be keen to live up to people’s expectations. Ingebrigtsen, 22, is a world 1500m silver medallist and he opened his season with a glamorous indoor tour where he won all races he competed in.

He won both the 1500m and 3000m at the European Athletics Indoor Championships and he also reigned supreme in the 1500m race at the Indoor Meeting in Lievin.

On his part, Kipsang has competed in two races so far and has managed a podium finish in both. He won the 800m at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix and settled second at the Kip Keino Classic. He is surely in good shape and might pull off a surprise on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Nuguse is also a potential threat to the throne since he has managed big wins in all the races he has competed in so far and he will be looking to maintain the form.

He opened the season with a win in the 3000m at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic in January before making headlines at the Millrose Games where he won the mile in an astonishing time of 3:47.38.

He then headed over to the Indoor Tour in Madrid and won the 1500m race before opening his outdoor season with a win (800m) at the Track Festival in the USA.

Kipsang will enjoy the company of compatriot Charles Simotwo and together, they will be looking to stop the dominance of Ingebrigtsen, Nuguse, and other greats on the track.