Kenya has taken its dominance of the 3000 metres steeplechase to unprecedented levels when they swept all the medals during the finals held on Friday.
The surprise winner was former world junior Champion Jonathan Muia Ndiku, who upset the formbook to take his first senior championship. In the process he beat Jairus Birech who has dominated this event in 2014 and 2012 Olympic champion and legend Ezekiel Kemboi.
Ndiku and Birech led an early break, which Kemboi had to run down, and in the last lap he paid the price. Ndiku made his move with 200 metres left, bursting ahead of Birech and in the process set a new Games record of 8:10.44. Birech was second in 8:12.68 while Kemboi who jogged home in 8:19.73. Kemboi had stayed with Birech and Ndiku until the 200m mark then just stopped running and slowed to a jog, seemingly content with a bronze medal.
No country on this planet has dominated any event the way Kenya dominates the steeplechase.
Go to Kenya Athletics Page |
