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Kenya conquers the world!


A gold medal by Asbel Kiprop in a dramatic men’s 1,500m race capped off a historic day for Kenya who finished top of the overall medals’ table as curtains came down in the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China on Sunday.

Kenya topped the medals’ table with 16 medals – 7 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze – ahead of global athletics powerhouse Jamaica, USA and Great Britain.

Jamaica came a close second with 12 medals (7 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze) followed by the US with 18 medals (6 gold, 6 silver, 6 bronze).

Great Britain (4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) and Ethiopia (3 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) wrapped up the top five places.

SUPER-SPEED

Kiprop lived up to his promise when he stormed to victory in the 1,500m race and wrap up Kenya’s best ever outing at the World Championships.

Kiprop, who was at the tail of the pack at the bell and with 200m to go, slowly ploughed his way up in a super-speed, hitting the front with less than 20m to go before winning in 3 minutes 34.40 seconds.

Elijah Manangoi wrapped up a 1-2 finish for Kenya just like in 2011 Daegu, dipping his head ahead of Moroccan Abdalaati Iguider to snatch silver in  3:34.63. Iguider took bronze in 3:34.67.

Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi from Algerian, who led the pack at the last bend settled fourth in 3:34.76 followed by the 2011 World silver medallist Silas Kiplagat from Kenya in 3:34.81.

Early on Sunday morning, Helah Kiprop (2:27:36) had won Kenya a silver medal in women’s marathon after losing the sprint battle to Ethiopia’s Mare Dibaba (2:27:35).