A look into Kenyan contingent chasing glory in Rome Diamond League
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 06.06.25. | 11:47
Mozzart Sport takes a closer look at the standout names leading the charge
Kenyan athletes are set to take centre stage at the iconic Stadio Olimpico as the 2025 Diamond League makes its fifth stop in Rome, Italy, on Friday, 6 June.
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With 14 electrifying disciplines on the evening’s schedule, the Kenyan contingent is locked in and ready to chase glory, world records, and crucial points towards the season finale.
Mozzart Sport takes a closer look at the standout names leading the charge.
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Beatrice Chebet vs Gudaf Tsegay reignite rivalry
Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet will reignite her sizzling rivalry with Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in the women’s 5000m, a headline event expected to shake the track.
Chebet has been on a red-hot streak this season. She kicked off her campaign with a commanding win in Xiamen (14:27.12) before nearly toppling the 3000m world record in Rabat with a scorching 8:11.56, which was the second-fastest time in history.
Already a two-time Diamond League winner this year, Chebet’s combination of raw speed and tactical brilliance has made her a force to be reckoned with.
But Tsegay is no ordinary challenger. The reigning 5000m world record holder (14:00.21) showed her class in Zagreb, Croatia, by clocking 3:58.14 in the 1500m, setting a meet record and proving that she is in lethal form across distances.
With both women peaking at the right time, their Rome showdown could be one for the history books. A strong field, including Margaret Akidor, Asayech Ayichew, Aleshign Baweke, and Freweyni Hailu, will join them.
Star-studded 1,500m field awaits
In the men’s 1500m, 2019 World Champion Timothy Cheruiyot leads a formidable Kenyan trio that includes Reynold Cheruiyot, second in Rabat, and African Champion Brian Komen.
The women’s field features Susan Ejore and Purity Chepkirui, both seeking to leave a mark in Rome.
Ejore, who clocked 4:03.89 to finish fifth at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, is looking for a breakthrough performance.
Chepkirui, the former world under-20 champion, has had a flying start to her senior season, winning the Sirikwa Classic 2km loop and Bingwa Fest 1500m. Rome will be a litmus test of her growth at the elite level.
Omanyala headlines star-studded 100m field
All eyes will be on Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man, as he takes on an all-star field in the men’s 100m.
The Kenyan sprint king, who boasts a personal best of 9.77 seconds, is targeting his first Diamond League win of 2025 and a sub-10-second finish.
Standing in his way are sprint titans from the USA: Fred Kerley and Trayvon Bromell, both clocked at 9.76 seconds, alongside Courtney Lindsey (9.89), Brandon Hicklin (9.93), and Lindset Courtney.
The global nature of the race is underscored by entries from Emmanuel Eseme (Cameroon), Hakim Abdul Brown Sani (Japan), and Chituru Ali (Italy).
Omanyala comes into the race off the back of a third-place finish at the Kip Keino Classic (10.07) and a close second in Rabat (10.05), where he narrowly lost to South Africa’s Akani Simbine.
