Kemboi and Keitany triumph in Ostrava

By Feverpitch Reporter and Agencies

Kenyan runners dominated the 48th IAAF Golden Spike in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

The highlight was, however, the 3,000m steeplechase where 2004 Olympic gold medallist, Ezekiel Kemboi, soared to victory over reigning Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto and bronze medalist in Athens Games, Paul Kipsiele Koech.

Kemboi, who missed the Kenya Police championships a fortnight ago, prevailed in 8:09.55, while Kipruto finished second on 8:09.95 and Koech was third in 8:10.22. Benjamin Kiplagat set a Ugandan national record of 8:12.98 in sixth position.

The 800m race was another mouth watering competition where former world junior champion David Rudisha braved stiff challenge from elite opponents to win.

Ezekiel Kemboi and Paul Koech battle in the steeplechase while, inset, Haroun Keitany during the Golden Spikes in Ostrava on Wednesday. [PHOTOS: REUTERS]

World champion and Olympic silver medalist, Alfred Kirwa Yego, was the first to take command, making his move as the field reached the bell. His lead was short-lived, as he was soon overtaken by Sudan’s Ahmed Ismael.

The Sudanese padded his lead to carry a strong advantage off the final bend, but Rudisha picked up the challenge. Slowly closing the gap, Rudisha ate up the difference before pulling away for the 1:44.09 victory less than three strides from the finish.

Closing strongly as well, was Olympic 1500m silver medallist Asbel Kiprop, who finished third in a time of 1:44.54 and Berlin 1500m winner Augustine Choge, was fourth with a personal best time of 1:44.86.

The second 800m race was fairly swift, with South African Samson Ngoepe kicking past Kenyan Jackson Kivuna, 1:45.17 to 1:45.29, both personal bests.

Reigning World Athletics Final 1,500m champion Haron Keitany continued Kenya’s dominance at the event with commendable performance in the men’s one-mile race.

With his key rivals thus far this season contesting the 800m in Ostrava, Keitany was given some breathing room and ably took the mile with a solid 3:49.57. Briton Andy Baddeley, winner at Oslo’s Dream Mile last year, gradually worked his way from fourth over the last lap to finish second in 3:51.83 in his first 1500/mile of the season, while Gideon Gathimba was third in a time of 3:52.98.

Ethiopia’s Melkamu Meselech defeated World Cross Country Championships silver medalist Linet Masai and World Athletics final silver medalist Vivian Cheruiyot.

Meselech won the race on 14:34.17, while Masai was second on 14:34.36 and Cheruiyot was third on 14:38.26.

Olympic champion Usain Bolt clocked a wind-assisted 9.77 seconds over 100 metres at the Ostrava grand prix on Wednesday.

Jamaican Bolt, who set a world record of 9.69 seconds in the Beijing final last year, was assisted by a following wind of 2.1 metres a second.

Cuban world record holder Dayron Robles won the 110 metres hurdles in a season’s best of 13.04 seconds.

 

Read all about: Ezekiel Kemboi Asbel Kiprop Haron Keitany

 

 

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