Conseslus Kipruto stormed to victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase at the Rio Olympics yesterday to extend Kenya’s remarkable winning streak in the event.
Kipruto timed an Olympic record of 8min 03.28sec for gold, American Evan Jager taking silver in 8:04.28.
“I saw the screen and I saw I was far from them and I knew nobody was going to catch me. I knew I was going to win the gold in the final 100m,” said Kipruto.
“In Kenya we love steeple and that’s why we win! Even though today, we had an American who took silver.”
Two-time Olympic champion and reigning four-time world gold medallist Ezekiel Kemboi, also of Kenya, claimed bronze (8:08.47) and promptly brought the curtain down on his illustrious career.
“The Rio 3000m steeplechase was my last race after a long career of 18 years,” Kemboi said.
Kipruto admitted he had been worried about Kemboi, whom he said had already passed on the baton.
“I was ready to beat him today,” said Kipruto.
“I’ve been a good competitor for him and he already told me to take over the steeple so I’m so happy about that.”
Kipruto took up the early running in scorching heat at the Olympic Stadium, Jager happy to take over for a couple of laps before surging with two laps to run.
Kemboi tracked the American, moving into second with Kipruto, the world silver medallist who is also world leader and has won all five Diamond League outings this year, also threatening.
In temperatures hitting 36 degrees Celsius (97F), the field had strung out before the bell went for the final lap, Kipruto exploding down the back straight to build up what proved to be an unassailable lead.
Coming into the home stretch, Kipruto cast a glance back over his shoulders before stretching out his arms as he crossed the line for a comprehensive win.
Jager, sixth at both the Beijing and London Games, produced one last spurt to overtake a fast-fading Kemboi for silver, the Kenyan left with a bronze to add to his amazing medal tally. It was the United States’ first medal in the men’s steeplechase since 1984.
Kipruto’s victory means that Kenya have now bagged nine consecutive golds in the event stretching back to 1988.
Kenya, who have swept the medals twice in that time (1992, 2004), have also taken at least two of the three medals on offer at every Olympics since that streak started.