Emmanuel Wanyonyi off to commanding win in season Diamond League debut

Former World U20 champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi began his 2024 Diamond League season on the right note with a commanding victory at Marrakech on Sunday.

The 19-year-old led after the bell to fend off close competition from fellow Kenyan Wycliffe Kinyamal to finish in a time of 1:43.84, just 27 shy of his world lead time recorded at last month’s Kip Keino Classic.

Kinyamal, who was taking part in his third Diamond League race this season, came second timing 1:43.98, with Frenchman Meziane Yanis finishing third in a season best 1:44.13.

It was however a poor start for reigning Olympic champion Emmanuel Korir, as he struggled to keep pace with the lead group before falling behind to finish last timing 1:45.70.

Wanyonyi at cruise control

With a 1:43:57 world lead in his locker, Wanyonyi set out to show his dominance in his first race in the Diamond League and was within the lead group behind race pacemaker Ludovic Le Meur.

The duo, plus Ben Pattison of US hit the bell at 49.76 - which was projected to be slightly behind the projected finish time of 1:43.58 - before Wanyonyi took control of the race with the pacemaker out for an incredible finish.

Kinyamal, just off a second place finish in Suzhou, mounted a late surge as Wanyonyi approached the homestretch, but it was the latter who held on to win in his return to an event he won last year.

Meanwhile in the women's 5000m, Kenyan Edinah Jebitok had a strong showing as she finished third in a personal best time of 14:35.64.

The 22-year-old, battling a quartet of Ethiopians, managed to keep herself close to the lead, and hit the afterburners late to get past fourth place finisher Wudu Melknat, but way adrift of two Ethiopians in the lead.

The race was won by Eisa Medina (14:34.16), who finished third in Doha, with Tesfay Fotyen placing second.

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