Former World 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has suffered a huge blow after announcing he will be taking a rest to attend to a niggling knee injury and will thus miss the Zurich Diamond League.

The 27-year-old Cheruiyot, who was among Team Kenya athletes, who took part in the just concluded World Athletic Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where Kenya finished first in Africa and fifth in the world, confirmed he will need two to three weeks to manage the injury as per instructions from his doctors.

“I’m so proud to have represented Kenya at my fifth consecutive World Athletics Championships but for those that know my racing well it’s clear I’ve not been 100% fit at recent races,” Cheruiyot wrote on his social media pages, adding: “Thankfully after assessment and treatment a niggle affecting my knee is being managed well with two to three weeks rest being advised.”

It means Cheruiyot. Who is a two-time African Championship silver medallist from 2016 and 2018, and won the 1500 m Diamond League title on four occasions: in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021, will not be able to take part in the Zurich Diamond League scheduled for September 8.