The Finn Keskisalo wins surprisingly the steeplechase race. © Photo Run / Jiro Mochizuki
The 3,000-meter steeplechase produced one of the biggest surprises at the European Athletic Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. Almost as sensational as Jan Fitschen’s victory at the 10,000m, the Finn Jukka Keskisalo won gold, and once again the favorite Spanish runners were beaten. The 25-year-old Finn took over the lead from José Luis Blanco almost without resistance on the home stretch and clocked 8:24.89 minutes. The Spaniard finished second and Bob Tahri (France) took the bronze medal in 8:27.15.
The crowd cheered Swede Mustafa Mohamed as he increased the pace and took the lead with three laps to go. With the bell and the last 400 meters, however, the Spaniard Blanco led. Tahri was in third behind Mohamed. But then somebody came from behind, and although nobody expected him to, Keskisalo overtook one after another and is now European champion. Ninth in the 2003 World Championships, he is currently ranked 14th on the European list. Last year, he had to withdraw from competing owing to an injury. “That is a big surprise for me,” said the Finn after the race. “I knew that I would have a chance when the pace would be slow. I have a good kick.”
