David GOMBE
Double Commonwealth Champion Jacob Kiplimo clinched the 2023 World Cross Country title at Mount Panorama in Bathurst, Australia on Saturday morning.
Kiplimo beat compatriot and defending champion Joshua Cheptegei to the title in a time of 29min, 17 sec.
Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi finished in second with Cheptegei taking bronze.
Four years ago, Cheptegei who is the World record holder at the 10000m and 5000m won the 10k race in Denmark with Kiplimo finishing second.
Cheptegei lead the pack through much of the race but couldn’t overcome a superior Kiplimo on the final lap.
Kiplimo adds the Men’s Senior World Cross Country title to his Junior title he won in 2017.
Meanwhile in the Women’s senior category, favourite Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia collapsed with barely 100m to go, handing Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet and 5000m silver medalist the World Cross title in 33.48.
The Ethiopian who is the 10000m and 5000m World record holder was disqualified after she was illegally helped to her feet to the finish line.
Ethiopian Tsigie Gebreselama was second with Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Ngetich finishing third.
Kenya won the mixed relay, where two women and two men each run a 2km loop, in 23.14, seven seconds ahead of Ethiopia to avenge their defeat by the fellow African powerhouse in Denmark. Australia came third.
Kenyan Ishmael Kipkurui won the men’s U20 title while Ethiopia’s Senayet Getachew clinched the women’s title.
