Commonwealth Games: Kibiwot reigns supreme in 3,000m steeplechase final

Abraham Kibiwot has handed Kenya the third gold medal in the ongoing Commonwealth Games after running away with the 3,000m Steeplechase gold medal.

Kibiwott, who claimed silver four years ago in Gold Coast, ensured that the country retained the title that was in the custody of Conseslus Kipruto by dipping his head at the line to beat the lurking Avinash Sable of India.

Kipruto, fresh from claiming bronze in the World Athletics Championships held last month in Oregon was bidding to retain his title but ran short of gas when it mattered most and would finish outside the medal bracket.

Kibiwot who has unsuccessfully tried to claim the World Athletics Championships twice clocked an impressive 8:11.15 with Sable coming in second in 8:11.20, his personal best time.

World U20 champion Amos Serem who has since moved up to the senior level bagged bronze after finishing third in 8:16.83.

Kenya, looked set for another clean sweep in the water and barrier race as it was the case four years ago but Kipruto, missed out of the podium after fading to a sixth place finish.

The Kenyan trio blew the field apart barely two minutes into the race, pulling clear from the rest with the indefatigable Sable tagging along.

Kibiwot who also represented the country in the Tokyo Olympics pulled the strings on the track, gradually increasing the pace in an attempt to burn out Sable who threatened to spoil the Kenyan party.

However, the Indian athlete was equal to the challenge as he tactically raced behind Kibiwot's shoulder with Serem and Kipruto following closely.

Kipruto became the first casuality of the blistering pace injected by the duo as he began regressing in the final laps, and would allow John Gay and Ben Buckingham who were part of the chasing pack ton finish ahead of him.