Jepkosgei leads Kenyan gold rush

OSAKA, Japan -- Kenya enjoyed a golden evening at the world athletics championships in Osaka on Tuesday with Janeth Jepkosgei winning a blistering women's 800 meters after Brimin Kipruto had led a Kenyan one-two-three in the men's 3,000 meters steeplechase.

Jepkosgei led from start to finish to win her first global title, going through the bell in a fraction over 56 seconds and then holding on to win in one minute 56.04 seconds.

Morocco's Hasna Benhassi claimed silver in 1:56.99 with Spain's Mayte Martinez third in 1:57.62, both athletes reaping the benefit of not following the almost suicidal early pace set by Jepkosgei.

Former four-time champion Maria Mutola of Mozambique was in contention for a medal going into the final straight but stepped off the track with what appeared to be an injury.

At this point Jepkosgei, who admitted that she feared a sprint finish, had the gold in the bag and was mobbed by delighted Kenyan team-mates at the finish.

They had already been celebrating another clean sweep of the podium in the steeplechase as Kipruto turned the tables on Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi in the final 150 meters.

He won clearly in eight minutes 13.82 seconds with Kemboi, who also took silver at the last world championships in Helsinki, clocking 8:16.94.

Richard Mateelong finished third in 8:17.59 and the three medal winners celebrated together with a lap of honor wrapped in a Kenyan flag.

"We had a plan as a team to run together until the final 400 meters. I am so happy. It's the first time I won a gold medal. We will celebrate tonight as a team, as a country," said a delighted Kipruto.

"This medal is important for Kenya and for me," Jepkosgei told reporters. "This is the first medal for middle distance where we don't have many runners.

"It's a challenge to my fellow Kenyans to do more at middle distance and not just concentrate on long distances," she added. E-mail to a friend