Aug 18, 2009, 18:14 GMT
Berlin - Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya shook off his imagine as perennial runner-up on Sunday when he won the 3,000 metres steeplechase world title on Tuesday after coming second the last three times.
Kemboi proved strongest on the home stretch to win in a championship record 8 minutes 00.43 seconds ahead of compatriot Richard Kipkemboi Matelong, who had 8:00.89.
Frenchman Bouabdellah Tahri denied Kenya a second straight sweep at the worlds, stealing the bronze on the finish line by eight hundredth of a second from Paul Kipsiele Koech with a European record 8:01.18.
Kemboi won Olympic gold in 2004, but had never managed to top a podium at worlds, coming second in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
Defending world champion and 2008 Olympic champion Brimin Kiprop Kipruto of Kenya had to settle for seventh place.
Moroccan 3,000 Jamal Chatbi did not run in the final after the ruling body IAAF said shortly before the race that he tested positive for the anabolic steroid clenbuterol at an out-of-competition test the day before Sunday's heats.
Chatbi has waived the examination of the b-sample, was suspended and faces a two-year ban. It is the first doping case at the Berlin championships.
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