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Kenya: Athletics - Clean Sweep for Local Team
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The Nation (Nairobi)
4 May 2008
Posted to the web 5 May 2008
Elshadai Negash
Addis Ababa
After two days of disappointment, Kenya finally made a bumper harvest as they scooped two gold medals, two silvers and two bronze as the Africa athletics Championships entered its third day at the Addis Ababa Stadium on Friday.
Willy Komen , Mike Kipyego (centre) and Richard Matelong celebrate with the Kenya flag after sweeping the 3,000 metres steeplechase race at Addis Ababa Stadium. Matelong won the gold medal, Kipyego took the silver while Komen won the bronze medal. Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN
Kenyans ensured a clean sweep in the men's 3000m steeplechase and picked gold and bronze in the 800m.
The world bronze medallist, Richard Mateelong took gold in the men's steeplechase in 8:31.68 with compatriots Michael Kipyego (8:32.94) and Willly Komen (8:41.98) picking silver and bronze respectively to keep the country's tradition in the event alive.
The steeplechase event was won in style as Kenyans saluted the crowds with two laps to go, confident of a clean sweep.
With five laps go, the Kenyans shook off the rest of the pack, remaining with only three Ethiopians- Nahom Mesfin, Legese Lamiso, and Abdi Dereje to take care of. Dereje was later off loaded with three laps to go as his compatriots painfully hanged on.
The Kenyans made their move with two laps to go and this time, there was no looking back.
While Willy Komen struggled in a safe third position, Mateelong and Kipyego engaged each other in a sprint a mid song and dance by the Kenyan delegation on the stands. Mesfin (8:50.21), Legese (8:51.43) and Abdi (8:54.74) followed the top three Kenyans in that order.
Mateelong said the victory was a perfect start ahead of the August Olympic Games. "I am inspired with victory and I want to keep shape ahead of the Beijing Games," he said.
Coach Julius Kirwa was equally elated, saying the move was a good sign ahead of the games. "What did you expect? This is a Kenyan preserve.
Other countries have a long way to go in as far as the event is concerned," the coach said.
Rudisha rules
Prior to the event, Kenya's world junior 800m champion, David Rudisha had set the mood of the day for Kenyans after winning gold in his speciality timed at 1:44.20.
Sudanese Ismail Ahmed Ismail spoiled Kenya's party sneaking between Kenyans to run away with silver after posting 1:45.41. Asbel Kiprop took bronze in 1:46.02.
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Another Kenyan Jackson Kivuva was fourth in 1:46.33 with Ethiopia's Sheferaw Wole finishing fifth in 1:48.37.
Rudisha said this was part of his preparations for the Beijing Games. He said he was almost 99 percent sure that he would take gold.
"I studied the competition right from the preliminaries and knew what to do at the final. I am happy my plans worked perfectly."
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