Ezekiel Kemboi leads Kenyan sweep in World steeplechase

Talek Harris 09:40 25/08/2015
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  • Super hat-trick hero: Ezekiel Kemboi.

    Kenya’s Ezekiel Kemboi continued his amazing medal streak by winning a fourth consecutive World steeplechase gold in Beijing.

    The 33-year-old, a two-time Olympic champion who has also won three World silvers, timed 8min 11.28sec for gold, holding off Kenyan team-mate Conseslus Kipruto in the final straight.

    Kipruto claimed silver in 8:12.38 with another Kenyan, Brimin Kiprop Kipruto, completing the podium with bronze (8:12.54).

    This season’s world No1 Jairus Birech, a three-time winner on the Diamond League circuit this year, finished fourth in 8:12.62, just ahead of Americans Daniel Huling and Evan Jager.

    “I’m so happy about my fourth consecutive title,” said Kemboi.

    “The race was really fast. On the last lap nobody could follow me. I will be celebrating tonight with my team-mates.”

    Another champion to defend their title was Colombia’s Caterine Ibarguen, who leapt 14.90m for triple jump gold and stretched her amazing winning streak to 29 competitions.

    There was a second Kenyan track gold when Vivian Cheruiyot regained the women’s 10,000m title, producing a commanding last-lap surge for victory.

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    Cheruiyot, a gold medallist in Daegu 2011, clocked a winning time of 31:41.41. “This is my real comeback,” beamed the Kenyan.

    "It is even more precious now after I became a mother a year ago. I dedicate this medal to my son.”

    UAE’s Alia Saeed stopped after the 6km mark and did not finish the race.

    Pole vault world record-holder Renaud Lavillenie’s Worlds jinx continued as he had to settle for a share of bronze.

    Canada’s Shawnacy Barber, 21, snatched gold with a best of 5.90m, winning on countback from defending champion Raphael Holzdeppe of Germany.

    Olympic champion Lavillenie could only clear 5.80 for a share of third with Polish pair Piotr Lisek and Pawel Wojciechowski.”

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