Kipsang takes Club Games gold-winning form into Lausanne Diamond League

Fresh from winning Commonwealth Games gold in the men’s 5,000m in Glasgow, Scotland, Mathew Kipsang will lead Kenya’s challenge at the Lausanne Diamond League on Friday as he looks to extend his impressive run onto the international circuit.

Kipsang claimed his maiden global medal for Kenya at the Commonwealth Games, producing a decisive finish to win the 5,000m in 13:23.61.

The 30-year-old held off Australia’s Ky Robinson, who finished in 13:24.70, and India’s Gulveer Singh, who clocked 13:24.95. His victory also ended Kenya’s 12-year wait for Commonwealth Games gold in the event.

Caleb Ndiku was the previous Kenyan champion, winning the title in 2014, also in Glasgow. Kipsang will now attempt to build on that breakthrough performance when he returns to the Diamond League stage in Lausanne.

The distance runner arrives in Switzerland confident that his Commonwealth triumph signals a revival for Kenya in the 5,000m. “It has been a while since Kenya brought home a medal in the 5,000m.”

Kipsang is convinced Kenya is once again capable of competing at the highest level over the distance and believes the country can return to the forefront of international 5,000m racing. “I believe now Kenya is back in the 5,000m,” he said.

The Lausanne meeting will be Kipsang’s fourth Diamond League appearance this season, offering him another chance to improve his form and gather points towards the series final.

His campaign began in Shanghai on May 16, where he competed in the 3,000m and finished sixth in 7:27.58. Germany’s Mohamed Abdilaahi won in 7:25.77, ahead of Reynold Cheruiyot at 7:26.11 and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren at 7:26.48.

Kipsang returned to 5,000m action at the Xiamen meeting a week later but endured a difficult outing, finishing 11th in 13:12.82. Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune took victory in 12:57.32, with Abdilaahi second in 12:57.90 and Biniam Mehary third in 12:58.51.

His latest Diamond League appearance came in Paris, where he again missed the podium after finishing ninth in 12:58.95. American Grant Fisher won in 12:54.80, followed by Kenya’s Jacob Krop in 12:55.22 and Almgren in 12:55.38.

Kipsang will therefore be looking for a stronger showing in Lausanne as he seeks to re-establish himself among the circuit’s leading contenders and add crucial points ahead of the Diamond League final in Brussels on September 4-5.

He will be joined in the Kenyan team by Cornelius Kemboi, Charles Kiboino, Laban Kosgei and Krop, giving the country a strong presence in the distance race.

Kemboi will be chasing redemption after finishing just outside the Commonwealth Games medals in the 5,000m. He placed fourth in 13:24.99.

Krop, meanwhile, will be targeting his second Diamond League podium of the season after continuing to establish himself among Kenya’s leading distance runners on the circuit.

After taking second place in Paris, Krop competed in Monaco and narrowly missed another podium, finishing fourth in 12:53.71.

Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu won that race in 12:52.54, with American Graham Blanks second in 12:52.60 and Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew third in 12:52.91.

Kenya's contingent will nevertheless face a demanding field featuring several of the world’s leading distance specialists, led by Balew, who is currently ranked second globally.

Fisher and Lobalu are also among the key international contenders, while Ethiopia will field a strong team headed by Mezgebu Sime.