Conseslus Kipruto edged out Ethiopia's Lamecha Girma by 0.01 seconds to shake off injury-marred season and retain the 3000M steeplechase world title.
The 2016 Olympic and 2017 world champion, staged a stunning run from the behind to retain the 3000M Steeplechase world title and gift Kenya a third gold in a tight Friday, night race held at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar in the ongoing IAAF world Athletics Championship.
Kipruto had tough time running at the pool due to stress injury on his left foot, and when it came to the land he showed the world what is capable of as he gave it all by sprinting 100m to beat, 18 years-old Lamecha on the line, by a 8.01.35 against Girma's 8.01.36 time; to retain the world title that he last won in 2017.
The race favorite Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali settled for the bronze medal.
Kipruto noted that it was a tough race more so from the Ethiopians who had a prior plan before they began the race,
"In the championship, experience matters a lot and it is not about the shape. This is what made me win the race," said Kipruto.
And unlike previous years, where Kenya was accustomed to sweeping the podium positions, things are no longer at ease, after compatriots Benjamin Kigen, Abraham Kibiwott and Leonard Beth came position sixth, seventh and ninth, respectively.