Conseslus Kipruto realized that he was about to win the Olympic 3000m steeplechase gold medal as he approached the final straightaway.
Advertisement
Kenya’s other gold medals were won by David Rudisha and Jemima Sumgong in the men’s 800m and women’s marathon, respectively.
The 30-year old overtook American Evan Jager at the bell lap and crossed the finish line in 8:03.29 to win the event.
A relatively fast race from the off saw all of the finalists maintain their place in the lead pack over the first half of the race, before the shaggy-blonde Jager kicked from the front.
Kenyan-born Olympic rookie Hillary Bor, 26, finished eighth for the US on Wednesday, followed in the ninth spot by Donn Cabral, a 26-year-old CT native and Princeton alum, who finished eighth in the event in 2012.
Three more medals are expected for Team Kenya as Ezekiel Kemboi, Brimin Kipruto and Conseslus Kipruto sailed through to the finals.
Hillary Bor finished eighth and Donn Cabral was ninth for the United States.
Evan Jäger of the USA won the second heat in 8:25.86, ahead of Kenya’s Brimin Kipruto, who posted 8:26.25.
Advertisement
The steeplechase final will take place on Wednesday. Earlier this week, Emma Coburn won a bronze medal in the women’s steeplechase, a first for American women.
