Nigel Amos Favourite in Zurich Diamond League

African 800m champion Nigel Amos of Botswana is the clear favourite as he chases his fourth win at the first of the two Diamond League finals on Thursday night in Zurich, Switzerland.

Amos will face off with Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir, the reigning Diamond League champion and Ferguson Cheruiyot, in what promises to be a dress rehearsal for the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, which get underway in just over one month’s time.

In an interview, the lanky Marobela star, who ran the fastest time this season when he recorded a jaw dropping 1:41:89 in Monaco in July, said he will be targeting a podium finish in the final series as he seeks to leave a mark in the prestigious competition.

“I feel very strong, healthier than all the years. So the aim is to keep it consistent until the World Championships,” he said.

Other Africans who will be fighting for the prize money include Beatrice Chepkoech who is the world record-holder in the steeplechase as well as the African and Continental Cup champion.

Chepkoech, the winner of five of her six races, has the world leading time of 8:55.58 in the discipline this year, credentials strong enough to put her in the favourite’s role.

The Kenyan will once again face Jeruto, 2015 World 3,000m steeplechase champion Hyvin Kiyeng and World Under-20 3,000m steeplechase champion Celliphine Chespol among others.

In the men’s 5000m, Selemon Barega will defend his series title against a solid slate of Ethiopian compatriots, most notably Telahun Haile Bekele, whose breakout season included a 12:52.98 win in Rome, the fastest in the world this year.

800m start list (with Season’s Best (SB)

1. Amel Tuka (Bosnia) 1:43:62
2. Donavan Brazier (USA) 1:43:63
3. Brandon McBride (Canada) 1:43.78
4. Clayton Murphy (USA) 1:44.47
5. Wyclife Kinyamal (Kenya) 1:43.48
6. Amos Nijel (Botswana) 1:41.89
7. Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich (Kenya) 1:42.54
8. Emmanuel Kipkurui Korir (Kenya) 1:44.01
9. Harun Abda (USA) 1:46.11