Mercy Gakii And Agencies
11 May 2008
Nairobi — Newly crowned African champion David Rudisha proved his unbeaten position when he took the 800 metres gold at the Qatar Grand Prix in Doha with a time of 1:44.36, only 0.16 behind his world leader of 1:44.20 from Addis Ababa. He lost here last year finishing sixth in 1:45.63.
Ugandan Abraham Chepkirwok was second, having improved his best to 1:44.66 while Sudanese Olympic finalist Ahmed Ismail came in third at 1:44.82. They all beat world champion Alfred Kirwa Yego of Kenya who was fourth at 1:44.97. Alex Kipchirchir was fourth with a time of 3:33.54 and Osaka bronze medalist Shedrack Korir eighth 3:36.14.
It was an all Kenyan sweep in the men's 3000m steeplechase as World championships bronze medalist Richard Matelong won in world leading time of 8:07.64 .
Second place went to Collins Kosgei who improved his best to a time of 8:13.87 beating world champion Brimin Kipruto to fifth (8:20.57). Mike Kipyego registered a time of 8:15.74 to take bronze.
World leading time
Augustine Choge registered world leading time of 7:32.01 to win the 3,000m. Last year World Athletics Final winner Edwin Soi was second in 7:32.13 followed by Ugandan Moses Kipsiro in 7:32.42.
The former world champion and the Grand Prix record holder Eliud Kipchoge clocked 7:33.14. Isaac Songok, a silver medalist in the 5,000m at the recently concluded African Championships was sixth with 7:37.40 and steeple world number one 2007 Paul Kipsiele Koech seventh with a time of 7:38.41.
In the women's races, Kenyan Viola Kibiwott (4:07.08), who was title defender in the 1500 metres was second behind Romanian Liliana Popescu. World and Olympic 800m winner Maria Mutola came in fifth, clocking a time of 4:09.86.
Ruth Bosibori came in second place to take silver in the steeplechase, with a time of 9:32.15 behind Australian world leader Donna McFarlane who won with a time of 9:31.47. Osaka bronze holder Eunice Jepkorir recorded a time of 9:36.23 to take bronze.
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