Boys' 3000m final report - Donetsk 2013

WRITTEN FOR THE IAAF WEBSITE

Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha managed to topple the traditional Kenyan dominance in this event, taking victory with an impressive change of pace in a 600m sprint for home to clock a 7:53.56 lifetime best for gold.

The 15-year-old unleashed a 2:30.22 final kilometre to narrowly beat Kenya’s Vedic Kipkoech, who registered 7:55.60 for silver.

The 17-year-old Kipkoech led a pack of five through 1,000m in 2:44.97 before winding up the pace with a 2:38.37 split, hitting 2,000m in 5:23.34 before his Ethiopian rival took charge.

Kejelcha was unchallenged down the final straight, as the fast-finishing Kipkoech passed his tiring team-mate,
Alexander Mutiso Munyao went backwards into the bronze medal position with a 7:56.86 personal best.

Kejelcha’s gold is only Ethiopia’s second in this event during the 14-year history of this championship, following Legese Lamiso’s 2007 victory in Ostrava.

Kenya meanwhile, enjoy a superb history in this event with six gold, seven silver and two bronze in their collection after today’s (14) final.

In fourth place, Ethiopia’s Mogos Tuemay clocked a 8:03.83 lifetime best whilst Eritrea’s Nftalem Kibrab set a 8:05.19 personal best in fifth.