Lemngole Tokyo ready after statement victory in Lausanne

‎Reigning NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) 3,000m steeplechase champion Doris Lemngole has declared herself ready for her maiden World Championship test after a commanding victory in Lausanne on Wednesday night.

The 23-year-old braved heavy rain in her maiden Diamond League appearance to claim victory in 9:16.36. She finished well clear of Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew (9:20.39) and American Olivia Markesich (9:20.73).

‎‎Lemngole noted that she was using the Lausanne meeting to gauge her form with the Tokyo showdown now just weeks away. 

"I came to Lausanne to gauge my form, and I feel my body is okay," she said. ‎The rising star will form part of a formidable Kenyan trio in the water-and-barrier event in Tokyo.

‎‎She will line up alongside Olympic bronze medallist Faith Cherotich and 2023 World Cross Country junior bronze medallist Pamela Kosgei. Lemngole noted that rain proved to be a hurdle for her. ‎"Running alone in the rain was tough, but I stayed focused and pushed through to the win."

‎She, however, reckons that running in such conditions will prepare her for the gruelling task that awaits her in Tokyo.

‎"It wasn´t the time I hoped for, but handling adversity. This prepares me well for the rest of the season and the World Championships," she added.

‎‎However, the youngster admitted to being under pressure before the Tokyo extravaganza. ‎"There is a lot of pressure that comes with the World Championships, but I have to believe in myself and be ready."

‎‎With the World Championships looming, Lemngole hopes to sharpen up her form to be in peak condition. "There are some areas I need to work on before the World Championships, and that is what I will be focusing on."

‎‎Looking ahead, Lemngole is also hoping to build herself up for the NCAA Cross Country Championships, which come right after Tokyo.

‎‎"After the World Championships, I have to get myself ready for the NCAA cross country championships, so I have to be ready for all that," she noted.

‎Lemngole heads to Tokyo buoyed by a stellar 2025 campaign, highlighted by her NCAA title on June 14, where she clocked a then world-leading of 8:58.15 to claim the crown. ‎She left Americans Lexy Halladay (9:08.68) and Angelina Napoleon (9:16.66) trailing in her wake.

‎In the men's 800m, Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi fell short of a fifth straight Diamond League triumph after finishing second in 1:43.29. American Josh Hoey pulled out a surprise victory, winning in 1:42.82 with Spain's Mohamed Attaoui (1:43.38) in third place. ‎"My race was okay. The atmosphere in the stadium was great," Wanyonyi said.

‎Wanyonyi had earlier picked up Diamond League victories in Oslo (1:42.78), Stockholm (1:41.95), Monaco (1:41.44) and London (1:42.00). ‎He remains the only man to dip under 1:42 this season.