Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto cemented his place as the best Steeplechase runner in the world this year, after storming to a new Olympic Record (OR) of 8:03.28 to win GOLD on Day 5 of athletics at the Rio 2016 Games in Brazil.
Kipruto who’s the world leader in the event, and has been unbeaten so far in the Diamond League this year was no match for the rest of the field, speeding away in the last 400m to take the lead.
In fact, the 21-year old was already celebrating as he came off the final turn before he had even jumped over the final barrier, raising questions of how fast he could have run if he crossed the finish line with his maximum speed.
Not only was Kipruto’s win a record breaking one, but it confirmed Kenya’s dominance in the event, with his GOLD medal being Kenya’s 9th straight Olympic GOLD in the event.
Finishing behind Kipruto was USA’s Evan Jager, who surprisingly crossed the finish line in a Season’s Best (SB) of 8:04.28 to take the Silver medal, and win America’s first men’s steeplechase medal in 32 years.
Defending Champion, Ezekiel Kemboi settled for Bronze clocking an SB of 8:08.47. But the 5-time World Champion would later announce to reporters that this was his last competition and he was hanging up his spikes.
Meanwhile in the men’s Decathlon, London 2012 Champion Ashton Eaton, was the early leader on the first day amassing a total of 2803 points after three events. The American clocked 10.46s in the 100m, before going on to jump a high 7.94m in the Long Jump and then sealing his lead with 14.73m in the Shot Put.
Canada’s Damian Warner currently sits in runner-up position with 2708 points, after running 10.30s in the 100m, 7.67m in the Long Jump and 13.66m in the Shot Put. Frenchman Kevin Mayer occupies the 3rd position with 2699 points with a 10.81s in the 100m, 7.60m in Long Jump and a long 15.76m in the Shot Put.
