Yared Nuguse claims second Diamond League win for On, Monson and Beamish with national records
OAC’s Yared Nuguse won the men’s 1500m race at the Diamond League stop in London. After Dominic Lobalu’s success in Stockholm in 2022, it was the second win on the biggest stage of track and field for On. OAC teammates Monson and Beamish set national records, while Telahun Haile Bekele claims yet another podium.
Zurich, Switzerland, July 24, 2023 - With the Norwegian favorite, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, absent at the London edition of the Diamond Leage, all eyes were peeled on who would take the win in the men’s 1500m. With On Athletic Club’s Yared Nuguse and Mario Garcia Romo in the conversation and OAC Europe's George Mills opting to upset the party, the win was truly up for the taking.
When the gun went off, Nuguse and Garcia-Romo followed behind the pacemaker, ultimately with about a 9-meter gap between them and the leader, while Mills was biding his time in the back third. At the start of the second lap, he unfortunately got tangled up with another competitor, which cost him his balance and important seconds, so that the young Briton ultimately finished 15th.
At the front, however, with only 300m to go, Nuguse was sitting in second, behind the leader Narve Gilje Nordas. Coming around the home stretch, Nuguse stormed past the surging Norwegian and fought off the rest of the pack to claim a signature win. He claimed OAC's first Diamond League victory in an impressive 3:30.
Pratt, Wayment, and Konieczek shine in 3000m steeplechase
Aimee Pratt, Courtney Wayment, and Alicia Konieczek made the women’s 3000m steeplechase into a very solid effort as well. Aimee Pratt had a huge day and finished the race in a season-best of 9:16.10 and claimed third place behind Jackline and Beatrice Chepkoech. Courtney Wayment followed right behind Pratt in fourth (9:17.21), while Konieczek was seventh in a time of 9:30.19.
Monson takes the American 5000m record
Also the women’s 5000m race did not disappoint The start list featured gold medalists, world champions, and world record holders, and OAC Global's Alicia Monson and Josette Andrews. Both came fresh off a second and fourth-place finish at the U.S. championships, respectively, and were looking for big results.
The race was off to a controlled fast start, and Andrews settled toward the back of the field while Monson ran among the top 10. Eventually, a pack of five runners began to separate themselves from the rest, among them Alicia Monson. As the leaders rolled on and speed began to quicken, she held firm in fifth place, refusing to fall off the pace. With 250 to go, it became apparent that the three medalists were going to be the three on the podium, but Monson was fighting tooth and nail and was rewarded with finishing 5th in 14:19.45, setting a new American by over 4.5 seconds. Andrews finished 16th in 15:04.39.
Diamond League Monaco: Podium for Bekele, national record for Beamish
After expressing feeling frustration for feeling stagnant and desperate for a breakout performance, George Beamish was rewarded handsomely for his patience in Monaco. Beamish took on the 3,000m steeplechase with true grit and determination. Even though the leaders broke away, the New Zealander showed poise by knowing his limits and staying competitive within the chase pack. Off the final bend, Beamish surged to finish 5th in 8:13.26, beating a New Zealand record that had stood for 40 years and setting a new Oceania record in the process as well. With his new personal best, Beamish
In the men's 5,000m Telehun Haile Bekele continued his stellar season by running the 9th fastest 5000 meter race in history. Staying calm and relaxed in the top 3 places for the majority of the race, it looked like Bekele might have a shot at victory. However, with 300m to go, his fellow countrymen began to pull away, leaving too much ground for Bekele to make up, but the Ethiopian claimed yet another podium result finishing third.
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