A masterclass in middle-distance running saw Asbel Kiprop add the world 1500m title to his Olympic crown in South Korea on Saturday. The 22-year-old Kenyan withstood charges from compatriot Silas Kiplagat, the Commonwealth champion, and Ethiopian Mekonnen Gebremedhin around the final bend for a fine win in 3min 35.69sec.
The diminutive Kiplagat tracked Kiprop for silver (3:35.92), but Gebremedhin, Spaniard Manuel Olmedo and Moroccan duo Abdalaati Iguider and Mohamed Moustaoui were trumped for bronze by American Matthew Centrowitz (3:36.08). Remarkably, it was the first time a Kenyan has won the 1500m event at the worlds, although Kenyan-born Bahraini Yusuf Kamel and American Bernard Lagat (2007) are holders of the last two world titles.
Previous editions were won by Bahrain's Moroccan-born Rashid Ramzi (2005), Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003), Algerian Noureddine Morceli (1991, 1993, 1995), Somalian Abdi Bile (1987) and Briton Steve Cram (1983). "It makes me happy to be the first Kenyan to win the 1500m," said Kiprop. "Running with Kiplagat and others gives me motivation to run next year in the London Olympics."
With defending world champion Kamel, formerly Kenyan Gregory Konchellah, having failed to make the final, New Zealander Nick Willis took up the early running, going through 400m in 1:00.02, Centrowitz on his tail with the two Kenyans happy to sit behind them.
Kiprop took up the running with 600m to go, pushed by Gebremedhin. Kiplagat broke out at 300m, but Kiprop fought back down the inside lane, kept his nerve around the bend and came into the home stretch ahead. A sprint finish saw Kiprop clinch gold and another 1-2 for Kenya. Kiprop and Kiplagat's medal showings further confirmed the east African country's status as the dominant nation in middle distance and long distance running.