France’s Azeddine Habz delivered a dramatic late surge to snatch victory from Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot in a pulsating men’s 1500m final at the Rome Diamond League meeting on Friday night.
In a race packed with intensity, it was Cheruiyot, the four-time Diamond League champion who made a bold move around the final bend.He seemed set to seal his first Diamond League win since 2021.
But with metres to go, Habz showed his class and composure, accelerating past the Kenyan in a breathtaking finish to clock 3:29.72. That was the second-fastest time in the world this year.
It was a massive statement from the European indoor vice-champion, who came just 0.46 seconds shy of his personal best. He narrowly missed Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s 2025 world-leading mark of 3:29.63 set in Liévin.
Cheruiyot followed closely in 3:29.75 his fastest time since 2021. That was also his third-best mark globally this year with Morocco’s Anass Essayi claiming third in a personal best of 3:30.74.
For Azeddine Habz , this win cements his rise as one of Europe’s top middle-distance stars. The 30-year-old enjoyed a standout indoor season. He claimed a bronze in the 3,000m and silver in the 1,500m at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn.
In his outdoor season opener in Rabat last month, he placed fourth in 3:32.25. In Rome, he delivered when it mattered most. He surged to a career-defining win in a race packed with record-breaking performances.
Germany’s Robert Farken clocked 3:30.80 to break the German national record and finish fourth. Sweden’s Samuel Pihlström shattered his country’s record with 3:30.87 for fifth. Reynold Cheruiyot from Kenya ran a strong race as well, securing sixth in a season-best 3:30.94.
Final Results – Men’s 1500m
1 Azeddine Habz (FRA) 3:29.72 SB (2nd-fastest in 2025)
2 Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN) 3:29.75 SB (3rd-fastest in 2025)
3 Anass Essayi (MAR) 3:30.74 PB
4 Robert Farken (GER) 3:30.80 NR
5 Samuel Pihlström (SWE) 3:30.87 NR
6 Reynold Cheruiyot (KEN) 3:30.94 SB
7 Elliot Giles (GBR) 3:31.13 SB
8 Brian Komen (KEN) 3:31.14 SB
9 Oliver Hoare (AUS) 3:31.15 SB
10 Federico Riva (ITA) 3:31.42 PB
11 Anas Lagtiy Chaouda (MAR) 3:31.58 NU23R
12 Vincent Ciattei (USA) 3:31.69 PB