Kenya erupts within the top-three in medal standings, thanks to the scintillating show posted by the team sprinters. With three gold and seven overall, the team joins the winning party along with U.S. and Russia on day four, at the world track and field championships. Kenya now falls one short of its record championship haul at Tokyo.
Kenyan runners sealed the day’s highlight by clean sweeping the men’s 3,000m steeplechase medals and ran away with the women’s 800m gold as well.
Olympic silver medalist Brimin Kipruto clocked eight minutes 13.82 seconds, to lead a 1-2-3 finish followed by Ezekiel Kemboi and Richard Mateelong. It also marked the 14th medal sweep in the 24-year history of the two-yearly championships. Not waiting for long, Janeth Jepkosgei foot stepped her countrymen by winning the women’s 800 meters in 1:56.04.
United States Jeremy Wariner had no mistakes at the 400m heat as Tyson Gay began his quest for a rare double sprint. With timings of 45.10 seconds, Wariner remained on course to defend his title and made no mistakes to conquer the hurdle. Meanwhile, Tyson Gay, the newly crowned 100 metres champion, won his 200 metres heat clocking 20.46 seconds.
Russian Yelena Isinbayeva defended her women’s pole vault title; meanwhile Tatyana Lebedeva won another gold in the women’s long jump. Estonia’s Gerd Kanter ended Virgilijus Alekna’s seven-year reign in discus throwing. The day’s sixth and last gold medal was won by American Kerron Clement in the men’s 400m heat.
Via: Bloomberg
