Kenya extended its dominance on the global athletics stage with a night of glory at the 2025 Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland, where three of the country’s athletes clinched top podium spots.
Reigning Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi spearheaded a historic night for Kenya, which saw the team secure three Diamond League trophies and a silver medal.
On his part, Wanyonyi held off a late charge from Max Burgin of Great Britain to clinch the Diamond League trophy in the men’s 800m final. Heading to the Tokyo World Championships in just over two weeks, Wanyonyi had to dig deep to stay ahead of the hard-charging Briton on the homestretch, eventually clocking 1:42.37 to edge Burgin’s 1:42.42.
Reigning Diamond League champion Marco Arop of Canada finished third in 1:42.57. Wanyonyi’s win, in a standard Diamond League discipline, earned him $30,000 (Ksh3.88 million), while Burgin received $12,000 (Ksh1.55 million) and Arop pocketed $7,000 (Ksh905,455).
Faith Cherotich and Nelly Chepchirchir shine
Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich reaffirmed her place at the top of the women’s 3000m steeplechase, successfully defending her Diamond League title with a commanding run of 8:57.24.
Trained by Bernard Rono at the Kalyet Athletics Training Centre in Kipkelion, Kericho County, the former world U20 champion outclassed Kenyan-born Norah Jeruto, now representing Kazakhstan (9:10.87), and Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani (9:12.03).
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This event was one of the eight designated Diamond+ disciplines at the Zurich final, meaning Cherotich’s win earned her a premium prize of $50,000 (Ksh6.468 million).
Coach Rono praised her focus, saying:
“We had targets, and the Diamond League trophy was the agenda. Now we have a few days to firm our regimen, and we’ll give it a shot at the World Championships.”
In the women’s 1500m, Nelly Chepchirchir — mentored by 800m legend Janeth Jepkosgei — produced a stunning last-lap surge to win her first Diamond League trophy. She clocked 3:56.99 after dramatically overtaking Australia’s Jess Hull, who had dominated the race before fading in the final stretch.
Chepchirchir also competed in a regular Diamond League discipline and took home $30,000 (Ksh3.88 million), while Hull, as runner-up, earned $12,000 (Ksh1.55 million).
Seventeen-year-old Edmund Serem, younger brother of 2024 Diamond trophy winner Amos Serem, demonstrated Kenya’s depth with a fearless run in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. The teenager claimed silver in 8:09.96 behind Germany’s Frederik Ruppert, who took the win in 8:09.02.
As the men’s 3000m steeplechase was a regular Diamond discipline, Ruppert received $30,000 (Ksh3.88 million), while Serem earned $6,000 $12,000 (Ksh1.55 million).
Diamond+ prize money boost
The Wanda Diamond League, while announcing the prize money structure for the 2025 final in Zurich, revealed that eight selected events would for the first time receive elevated payouts under the Diamond+ designation.
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These events, chosen based on fan appeal and competitive depth, awarded $50,000 (Ksh6.468 million) to winners — five times the standard prize.
The Diamond+ disciplines at Weltklasse Zürich were:
- Men: 100m, 1500m, 400m Hurdles, Pole Vault
- Women: 100m, 100m Hurdles, 3000m, Long Jump
Cherotich’s 3000m victory stood out as the only Kenyan win within the Diamond+ tier, making her the highest earner of the night among her compatriots.
The 2025 Diamond League season featured a record total prize pool of $9.24 million (Ksh1.195 billion), with gender equality guaranteed across all events.
Kenya’s three Diamond League crowns capped a spectacular Zurich finale, sending a strong statement ahead of the Tokyo World Championships.
Note: $1=Ksh129.35
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