Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi clinched his second career Diamond League trophy after a spectacular performance in the men’s 5000m race at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels on Friday.
Aregawi’s winning time of 12:43.66 marked a season’s best and secured his first track victory of 2024, after two recent runner-up finishes in high-profile races.
The race at King Baudouin Stadium saw Aregawi triumph in an intense showdown against some of the world’s top long-distance runners, including fellow Ethiopians Hagos Gebrhiwet and Telahun Haile Bekele, as well as Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir.
Aregawi’s time was just a few seconds shy of Daniel Komen’s long-standing meeting record of 12:39.74, set in August 1997. Nonetheless, his performance ranks as the 18th fastest 5000m run in history, coming in a race where four athletes finished under 12:50.
Once the pacemakers stepped aside, Yomif Kejelcha, another Ethiopian star, took charge of the race, leading the pack through the 3000m mark in 7:42.07. However, Aregawi, Gebrhiwet, and Bekele were still within striking distance, setting the stage for a thrilling final push.
Aregawi, who also claimed the 5000m Diamond League title in 2022, displayed superior speed in the closing stages, pulling away from the field to claim victory.
Gebrhiwet, the second-fastest man in history over 5000m, finished second in 12:44.25, while Bekele completed the podium in third place with a time of 12:45.63.
Kipkorir of Kenya secured fourth place in 12:49.69, while Kejelcha, who had led for much of the race, faded in the final laps to finish fifth.
Aregawi’s win in Brussels adds to an impressive 2024 season, despite earlier setbacks. He had finished second in both the 10,000m at the Paris Olympics and in the 3000m in Silesia, where Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen set a world record.
The Brussels victory, however, provided Aregawi with redemption and renewed confidence as he secured his first major win of the year.
Reflecting on his victory, Aregawi said, “The crowd at the stadium was amazing, so I’m thankful for the support today. I was cold, very cold. But losing was not an option today, so I am very happy with the win here in Brussels.”
Aregawi’s triumph in Brussels makes him one of the 16 champions crowned on the first day of the two-day Wanda Diamond League final, capping off what has been a remarkable season for the Ethiopian distance runner.
