Before heading to the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, the defending champion had raced just four times this year. Girma had Wale, Kipruto, Abraham Kibiwot and El Bakkali for company, all of them looking comfortable. Girma kicked to the front with 200 metres remaining as El Bakkali started to grimace. Finally it was confirmed: Kipruto had successfully defended his title in 8:01.35, the third-fastest time of his career and the second-fastest winning time in World Championships history. He now joins Moses Kiptanui, Saif Saaeed Shaheen and Ezekiel Kemboi as multiple steeplechase gold medallists at the World Championships.

Source: Ethiopian News October 04, 2019 20:37 UTC