Rio 2016: Kipruto bags Gold for Kenya, sets new Olympic 3000m record

Kenya’s Conselus Kipruto won Gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase in Rio, clocking 8:03.28, to set an Olympic record despite slowing down and waving to the crowd over the final 150 metres.

Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto bags Gold in men’s 3000m steeplechase with a new Olympic record time of 8:03.28. #Rio2016

— Muisyo® (@Muisyo_) August 17, 2016

United States’ Evan Reese Jager was second with his season’s best of 8:04.28, while Ezekiel Kemboi took home the bronze after clocking 8:08.47. Another Kenyan in the race Brimin Kipruto, who won Bronze at the London 2012 Games faded to seventh in 8:18.79.

Kemboi who was tipped the favourite to win the event was stunned by his fellow countryman Kipruto who powered in the bell lap to win it. Kemboi also announced his retirement from athletics.He retires with pride having won 22 medals for Kenya, 10 of them Gold.

Kenyans have dominated the sport over the past three decades, and Kipruto’s gold was the nation’s 20th in world championship competition in the past 32 years.

Since 1984, there’s been a Kenyan runner at the podium of the men’s 3000m steeplechase at every Olympiad.