Kenya's Kemboi retains 3000m steeplechase crown

DAEGU, South Korea (AFP) - Defending champion Ezekiel Kemboi won the men's 3000m steeplechase world title in emphatic fashion Thursday, sprinting clear before wowing the crowd with a victory dance.

Victory for Kemboi, who won the title in Berlin in 2009 after three consecutive silver medals over the distance, never looked in doubt once he decided to push for home on the final lap, winning in 8min 14.85sec.

Team-mate and Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto (8:16.05) was almost caught on the line by France's Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (8:16.09) but found the strength he needed to claim silver.

"I think it was a very, very tough race today. I'm happy to defend my title here in Daegu," said Kemboi.

"I really stretched myself and accelerated to win the race. I think there will be a big celebration in Kenya," he added.

It was the slowest winning time in the event in 10 years, even more surprising coming from two Kenyans seeking Qatar's Saif Shaheen's world record.

Kipruto last month missed Shaheen's record of 7:53.63 by just 0.01sec when Kemboi was runner up in a lifetime best of 7:55.76.

Speaking about his post-race celebration, Kemboi said: "I danced to celebrate my title defence and make the Daegu stadium happy," he said.

"I had to dance for my friend Usain Bolt because he never made the final (Bolt was disqualified from the 100m final for false-starting). I'm very happy."

South Africa's Ruben Ramolefi set the early pace with Ugandans Jacob Araptany and Benjamin Kiplagat then taking up the reins, with the Kenyans content to bide their time.

At the bell Araptany led with three Kenyans tucked behind him including Kemboi and Kipruto but he could not stay with the two Kenyans when they broke clear with 250m to go, eventually finishing sixth.

Kipruto said: "I am on the podium but my goal was a bit higher than the silver today. I came here very confident as I felt I could be able to run the world record. But I did not manage it so I am happy for this medal.

"There were no special tactics in this race. We are good friends with Ezekiel but still we ran our own race."

The gold medal for Kemboi, the 2004 Olympic champion, is further confirmation of Kenya's status as the dominant nation in middle distance and long distance running.

Kenya's David Rudisha won the 800m earlier this week following stunning medals cleansweeps for Kenya in the women's marathon and 10,000m.