The pride of the Kenyans at world championships had always been the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Between 1991 and 2001, all six world champions came from Kenya. That changed in 2003, when Kenyan Stephen Cherono changed his name and nationality on short notice, and became Saif Saaeed Shaheen of Qatar. Shaheen took the 2003 and 2005 titles against his former fellow countrymen. But with the world record holder injured, the Kenyan team took advantage of his absence and produced a sweep of the medals, the first at these World Championships.
The youngest of the three Kenyans finished first: 22-year-old Brimin Kipruto clocked 8:13.82 minutes and turned the tables, because three years ago he was second behind Ezekiel Kemboi in the Olympics. This time, Kemboi won silver in 8:16.94 minutes. Richard Mateelong came in third in 8:17.59. “We worked together as a team and wanted to share all the medals between us. We are very happy that it worked,” said Kipruto.
The new 800m women’s world champion from Kenya also was impressive: 24-year-old Janeth Jepkosgei took the race in the fastest time of the year, 1:56.04, which is also a national record. The time was amazing in the hot and humid conditions, but the way how she did it was even more impressive. Jepkosgei took the lead right from the start and kept it to the finish line. With just more than half a lap remaining, it looked like she would soon get passed. But whenever that was about to happen, Jepkosgei found another gear and ran even faster.
“I didn’t want to wait for the others. That is why I took the lead right at the beginning and gave my best,” said the junior world champion of 2002. Jepkosgei, who took the first 800m women’s gold medal for Kenya in a world championship, should certainly have a great future.
While Moroccan Hasna Benhassi finished second in 1:56.99 minutes, Mayte Martinez (Spain/1:57.62) took third place. The dream of a fourth World Championships’ gold medal came to an end early for Maria Mutola (Mozambique). The 34-year-old reached the final for the ninth time, which was a record, but she didn’t have any chance at all in what were most probably her last World Championships. Mutola dropped out frustrated, then fell over a photographer and had to be carried out of the stadium on a stretcher because of an injury.
