The 2022 World Under-20 1,500m champion Reynold Cheruiyot plans to trim his Diamond League appearances next year to zero in preparation for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
This year, Cheruiyot featured in five Diamond League meetings.
He kicked off his 2024 campaign with a solid third-place finish in Doha ( 3:32.96 ), trailing compatriots Brian Komen ( 3:32.43 ) and Timothy Cheruiyot ( 3:32.67 ).
He then tested himself at the Prefontaine Classic, clocking 3:48.59 in the mile to finish sixth, with Britain’s Josh Kerr ( 3:45.34 ), Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen ( 3:45.60 ) and the USA’s Yared Nuguse ( 3:46.22 ) leading the field.
He followed it up with a fourth place finish in Lausanne in the 1,500m ( 3:30.88 ) before going on to finish sixth ( 3:32.15 ) in Zurich and seventh ( 3:32.50 ) in the finale in Brussels.
With the Tokyo World Championships on the horizon, Cheruiyot is making a calculated shift in focus.
“This year, I was featured in five Diamond Leagues. For 2025, I have to minimise my appearances to put more focus on the World Championship preparations,” Cheruiyot said.
The men’s entry standard for the 2025 Championships is set at 3:33.0 which Cheruiyot has already achieved.
He believes his appearance at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, provided invaluable lessons.
“Budapest gave me enough experience which I hope will be instrumental for Tokyo,” he said.
In Budapest, Cheruiyot finished eighth, clocking 3:30.78. Kerr ( 3:29.38 ), Ingebrigtsen ( 3:29.65 ) and Norway’s Narve Gilje ( 3:29.68 ) secured the podium.
Cheruiyot will further draw inspiration from his maiden Olympic appearance.
“It was my first time to participate in the Olympics. My main aim was to get experience after competing with some of the World’s top athletes,” he said.
In Paris, he missed out on a slot in the final after finishing 10th in the semifinal in 3:35.32.
USA’s Cole Hocker ( 3:27.65 ), Kerr ( 3:27.79 ) and Nuguse ( 3:27.80 ) secured the podium at the Games.
The 20-year-old has kicked off his season with cross-country meetings to build up his endurance.
“The 2024 season has been good to me. Now focus shifts to the 2025 season which is packed with events. I am currently keen on the AK crosscountry series before going into full training,” Cheruiyot said.
“I participated at the Betika
Kericho cross country meeting
and AK series opener 2km race in
Machakos. I want to build up my
endurance and stamina."
