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The meeting record of 7:27.26 has stood for 12 years, but with the quality field that will be competing this year, several athletes capable of challenging that mark on Friday.
Kenyan trio of 2019 world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot, world under-20 cross-country champion Ishmael Kipkurui and world relay cross-country champion Kyumbe Munguti will on Friday, May 5 face an acid test as they line up against a strong field at the Wanda Diamond League circuit opener in Doha, Qatar.
The trio will be competing over the 3000m and Ethiopians will be their greatest opposition as each of them fight for a slot in the podium.
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16:15 - 01.05.2023
ATHLETICS Kipyegon itching to get started with Chepkoech, Yego among headline acts at Doha Diamond League
The two-time world champion has good memories of the Qatari capital and hopes to set early pace for the 2023 season
Kipkurui, the youngest of the trio, had a great start to his season with a win at the cross-country, and less than a week later, he went on to win the 3000m race at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne.
He had an injury afterward and had to take a break and he will be hoping to stamp authority when he makes his Diamond League debut.
On his part, Munguti stunned the masses at the cross-country as he drove his team to victory and since then, he has earned a spot in the highest of the tables.
A win for him in Doha would mean a lot since he will also be making his debut in the Diamond League.
For Cheruiyot, the race will be his season opener after struggling with injuries in the past few years that even saw him fail to defend his world title in Oregon last year. However, he is not new to the Arab capital as he has been there more than three times.
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09:15 - 02.05.2023
ATHLETICS Kinyamal rivalry with Algerian duo to play out in Doha
Among the trio, Kinyamal is the fastest in the field with a Personal Best of 1:43.12.
However, it will be his first time competing over the 3000m distance where he hopes to outshine other greats.
Meanwhile, three months on from his world indoor 3000m record, Lamecha Girma will take on the same distance, but this time round, outdoor. The Ethiopian clocked 7:23.81 in Lievin in February and has not raced since.
A lack of prior races did not seem to do the Ethiopian any harm back then, so the fact this is his outdoor season debut should not necessarily work against him. He will also be hoping to repeat his exploits on the strong field.
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08:45 - 07.04.2023
ATHLETICS Trailblazing Ishmael Kipkurui joins top dogs for Doha Diamond League
The lad is primed for great success after making his mark in junior ranks.
Another athlete to watch out for is reigning 3000m steeple chase world and Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali. The Moroccan is more at home when jumping over barriers, but he is speedy enough on the flat to be competitive in a race such as this.
Olympic 10,000m champion Selemon Barega, the 2021 Diamond League 5000m champion Berihu Aregawi and fellow Ethiopians Getnet Wale and Telahun Haile Bekele add further depth to the field.
The meeting record of 7:27.26 has stood for 12 years, but with the quality field that will be competing this year, several athletes are capable of challenging that mark on Friday.
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