0.01-second Kipruto wins gold for Kenya in men’s 3000m steeplechase final

Conseslus Kipruto celebrates winning Gold in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase at the IAAF World Athletics Championships, Doha, Qatar [Courtesy]

World, Africa and Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto made sure status quo remained in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase, successfully retaining Gold for Kenya after crossing the finish line at 8:01:35 at the IAAF World Athletics Championships, Doha, Qatar.

Kipruto should thank the gods, however, for he finished just 0.01 seconds ahead of 19-year-old Ethiopian rising-star Lamercha Germa.

Kipruto finished just 0.01 seconds ahead of Ethiopian Lamercha Germa [Courtesy]

Germa set the pace for the race from the start and made it hard for Kipruto up to the last lap of the race, where the Kenyan showed why he is the world’s best.

Morroco’s Soufiane El Bakkali finished third in 8:03:76, completing the podium in what has been one of the fastest 3000 metres steeplechase races of the year so far.

Kenya’s next best performer in the pulsating Doha was Leonard Kipkemoi Bett, who finished a distant 9^th in 8:10:64.

Kenya's Leonard Kipkemoi Bett finished 9th in 8:10:64 [Courtesy]

Kenya now has three gold and two bronze medals at the World Athletics Championships.