Omanyala and Wanyonyi: Kenya’s Olympic champions and top athletes will compete against the best in the world at the fourth leg of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League in Rabat this Sunday.
Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet aims for her second victory of the season as she leads the women’s 3000m, having started the Diamond League circuit with a win in the 5000m at the Xiamen leg in April. The 10,000m world record holder will face a strong Ethiopian lineup, featuring Medina Eisa and Ejgayehu Taye, who are ranked second and third globally.
Chebet’s compatriot Janeth Chepngetich (PB 8:23.48) adds to Kenya’s strength in what could be a thrilling race to watch in the Moroccan capital.
In the men’s 800m, Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi returns to Diamond League action with a firm eye on dominating the two lap race.
Wanyonyi’s PB of 1:41.11, set last year, makes him the top prospect but he will face a formidable field that has Doha winner Tshepiso Masalela, his Botswana compatriot Kethobogile Haingura, former Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal, who finished third in Doha and lanky youngster Aaron Cheminingwa.
Fresh from lowering his 150m record at the Atlanta City Games, Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala reprises his rivalry with reigning Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley of America and South Africa’s Akani Simbine in the 100m event.
Omanyala will be making his third Diamond League appearance of the season in Rabat, returning to the city where he placed third in 2023, clocking 10.05 behind Fred Kerley (9.94) and Simbine (9.99).
Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir will be keen to make it two wins in as many races as she lines up to compete in the 1500m barely a week after dominating the Doha leg.
Chepchirchir, who owns a personal best of 3:56.14, will battle Ethiopia’s Saron Berhe and Australia’s Sarah Billings, both capable of sub-4 performances.
In the men’s 1500m category, Kenya’s famed depth will be on full display with Brian Komen (PB 3:28.80), winner of 5000m in Doha diamond league Reynold Cheruiyot, Vincent Keter, Boaz Kiprugut and Festus Lagat all entered.
The men’s 3000m steeplechase caps the Rabat program yet with Olympics champions and homeboy Soufiane El Bakkali keen to resume winning ways against Kenyans following two recent defeats.
Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwot will lead Kenya’s assault in the water and barrier event alongside world under 20 champion Edmund Serem, younger brother to Amos Serem who stunned the Moroccan to win the Diamond League title in Brussels last September.
