Kenya’s Kipruto Retains 3000m Steeplechase Title

Conseslus Kipruto retained the men’s 3000m Steeplechase world title in a photo finish of 8:01.35 after a dramatic duel with Ethiopian Lamera Girma at the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

From the blast of the gun, Girma hit the front, exchanging positions with his teammates Getnet Wale and Chala Beyo. Kipruto was quick to react along with compatriot Benjamin Kigen, Morocco’s Sofiane El Bakalli and France’s Djilali Berdani.

At half distance, it was Girma, Wale, Kipruto and El Bakalli with Kigen and Berdani leading, followed by Beyo.

The leading quartet fought it out all the way up to the last water jump barrier.

They entered the final 110m together with Girma looking strong, but Kipruto produced a powerful final sprit to win as both were separated by a microsecond.

El Bakalli came through strongly to take bronze and in the process recorded his personal best, while Wale, Berdane settled for fourth and fifth respectively.

The gold medal for Kipruto, the 2004 Olympic champion, is further confirmation of Kenya’s status as the dominant nation in middle distance and long-distance running.

In Men’s Steeplechase alone Kenya has dominated the race since Edmonton event in 2001.

Kipruto has held Kenya’s flag high since the retiring of Kemboi winning the IAAF Continental Cup, Commonwealth Games and African Championships.