•Kimeli clocked a personal best, world lead and meet record of 12:46.33 to win the men's 5000m in Rome
•Compatriot Jacob Krop finished second with a personal best of 12:46.79
•The 2016 Africa Championship bronze medalist Abraham Kibiwott finished second in the men's 3000m steeplechase
Image: ERICK BARASA
Kenyan long-distance specialist Nicholas Kimeli says his win at Thursday night's Rome Diamond League has re-energised his push for a medal at next month's World Championships in Oregon.
Kimeli clocked a personal best, world lead and meet record of 12:46.33, leading a 1-2 Kenyan finish as compatriot Jacob Krop finished second with a personal best of 12:46.79. Ethiopian Yomilf Kejelcha came third in 12:52.10.
"Last year, I missed an Olympic medal, coming forth. So, this year I really want to focus on our trials and come home with a medal from the World Championships," the 23-year-old said.
"This race has shown me that I am in good shape and it has given me a lot of confidence. I want to fight for medals in Eugene."
The race was a standout among others on the night as spectators were treated to an intense track rivalry between the two countrymen in which Kimeli eventually outsprinted Krop for the win.
Kimeli admitted that the win was a lot tougher than it looked albeit all the building blocks for glory were in place for him.
"The weather was good, it was perfect. The race was very, very competitive. Kenyans and Ethiopians, we rival each other. I tried to push on the last 50m and it worked. I am so proud to achieve a world lead and a personal best as well as a meet record," he said.
The Adizero Road to Records 5km runner-up added: "I am celebrating it. I am feeling great because I never won a Diamond League race before, I really pushed to make it happen."
In other results of the night, Kenya's grip on the men's 3000m steeplechase seemed to loosen further as Ethiopian Lamecha Girma timed 7:59.23 to win the race.
The 2016 Africa Championship bronze medalist Abraham Kibiwott clocked a season-best of 8:06.73 in second as another Ethiopian, Wetnet Gale came third, also in a season-best of 8:06.74.
Double Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto, making his second international appearance since the World Championships in Doha in 2019, finished fourth in season-best of 8:08.76.
After clinching her maiden Diamond League win in Rabat on Sunday, Mary Moraa timed 1:59.26 to finish fourth in the women's 800m.
American youngster Athing Mu clocked a world lead of 1:57.01 to grab top honour ahead of Frenchwoman Renelle Lamote (1:58.48) as Italian Elena Bello (1:58.97) finished third.
The next Diamond League event will be held on June 16 in Oslo, Norway as various athletes continue their preparations for the World Championships in Oregon, USA and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.