Mile sensation Kipsang withdraws from Rabat DL

World Indoor 1500m bronze medalist Abel Kipsang has pulled out of the Rabat Diamond League (DL), the fourth leg of the series set for Sunday 5 June in Morocco. 

Kipsang who in his last race finished fourth has been in great form, running a world-leading time in May during the Continental Tour meeting, in Nairobi dubbed Kip Keino Classic. 

"I have been in action back-to-back for more than a month now, given that I had competed in the Police and national championships before Kip Keino Classic. Before then I was at the World Indoor Championship. I have also been in action in the last three DL legs and the decision was made that I skip Rabat to regroup," offered Kipsang in an interview with Mozzart Sport. 

The 29-year old who clocked a personal best of 3:29.56 as he missed out on an Olympic medal by one place, having set what was then an Olympic record of 3:31.65 in the semi-finals, was expected to be the man to beat in 1500m in Rabat. 

Kipsang opened his DL season with a win in Doha where he clocked 3:35.70 ahead of World champion Timothy Cheruiyot who came second in 3:36.16. 

In Birmingham, Kipsang cruised to a 3:35.15 beating Mohamed Katir of Spain (3:35.62). The going got tough in Eugene as the Kenyan looked out of sorts, clocking 3:50.87 to finish fourth behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Hoare Oliver and countryman Cheruiyot. 

On Sunday, Katir with a best of 3:28.76 from last year and Britain’s Olympic finalists Jake Heyward and Jake Wightman, who ran 3:29.47 in 2020, will challenge for the Rabat title. 

Canadian Paulson William who has a season best 3:33.97 is expected to give the rest of the field a run for their money.