THESSALONIKI, GREECE (DPA) — Double world and Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele outsprinted Bernard Lagat of the United States with victory over 3,000 metres at the world athletics final in Thessaloniki, Greece on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Ethiopian, who won over 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the world championships in Berlin, clocked 8 minutes 3.79 seconds to beat Lagat again into second place.
Lagat, beaten by Bekele in the 5,000m final in Berlin 20 days ago, posted 8:04.00, with Kenya’s Sammy Mutahi (8:04.64) third.
“I ran pretty well but it was not an easy race after a very long season. I am very tired and so I will not run tomorrow’s 5,000 metres,” said Bekele, who since Berlin had won a share of the Golden League jackpot.
Elsewhere world champion LaShawn Merritt of the United States won the 400m in 44.93 seconds, ahead of Chris Brown of Bahamas (45.49).
Kerron Clement of the United States took the 400m hurdles in 48.11 seconds, while world champion Brigitte Foster-Hylton of Jamaica won the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.58, edging Olympic champion Dawn Harper of the United States (12.61).
World champion Brittney Reese of the United States captured the long jump in 7.08 metres, while Berlin silver medallist Betty Heidler of Germany threw a best of 72.03m to win the hammer throw.