Kipruto leads medals show in Australia

Kenya's Conseslus Kipruto (R gold) and Kenya's Abraham Kibiwott (silver) celebrate after the athletics men's 3000m steeplechase final during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast on April 13, 2018. / AFP PHOTO /

They sat down, planned and executed it with military precision. And with no doubt it stood out as the talking point on another huge day for Kenya at Carrara Stadium, yesterday.

Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto summoned his sheer ingenuity when he orchestrated a 1-2-3 finish for Kenya – which helped silence the key board warriors on social media who were already predicting doom for Kenya in Gold Coast, Australia.

It was a do-or-die in the contest that Kipruto, the reigning world champion, staged a clinical battle against cross border rivals Uganda, who have in the last few days encroached into Kenya’s distance running turf.

Kipruto stormed into the lead from the gun with a fast pace and Abraham Kibiwott, his rural home neighbour and Amos Kirui also picked up the pace.

They kept close tabs for the first two laps as Ugandan Albert Chemutai and Canadian Matthews Hughes kept close tabs. Kipruto drifted to third place in the third lap as he urged Kibiwott to take charge, with Kirui breathing down his neck.

Hughes looked to hold on the chasing pack despite the searing pace. The race was tactical as Kirui stormed into the lead briefly before Kipruto resumed as he approached the bell with a scintillating run.

Hughes could still not be shaken in the final 200m as he held on to Kipruto and Kibiwott in the last bend.

However, the 23-year-old Kipruto engaged the after burners and beckoned Kibiwott to follow suit as Kirui looked to have resigned to finishing outside the medal bracket. 

But when the Canadian thought he would settle for bronze and spoil Kenya’s party, Kirui summoned last ounce of energy and sprinted towards the line while Kipruto was pointing the national flag in his jersey in celebration as he he won in 8:10.08, a new Games record.

Kibiwott, his rural home neighbour at Kipchunu Village in Nandi County, settled for silver in 8:10.62 as Kirui passed the desperate Hughes on the line to take bronze in 8:12.35.

Kipruto said: “After we realised that our team had not retained some of the titles won in Glasgow, we went back to drawing board. We strategised on how best we could retain the 1-2-3 positions. I told my teammates that we must control the race from start to the finish.

“There was no way we could be beaten in 3,000m steeplechase. This is a Kenyan race and no one disputes this.

“I opted to take charge in the first two laps while Kibiwott and Kirui took turns. And it worked out.

“I really wanted to ensure Kenya take all medals here and I am happy to have made it happen. I dedicate the win to all Kenyans,” said Kipruto.

Kibiwott said his wife Jeruto called him few minutes before the race to urge him on.

“She told me that all was possible and I should not let down Conseslus (Kipruto) and all Kenyans,” said Kibiwott.

Kirui said their morale into the race was too high. “I was always confident of victory. Even we exchanged the leads, I still had the feeling that our winning formula would work out,” he said.