Africans dominate Ostrava Golden League

Submitted by Yomi Omogbeja on 18 June 2009 - 1:00am

African runners dictated the pace at the 48th IAAF Golden Spike meet (IAAF World Athletics Tour) in Ostrava, the Czech Republic.

Kenya's 2004 Olympic gold medallist, Ezekiel Kemboi, triumph over compatriots and reigning Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto and Athens bronze medalist Paul Kipsiele Koech in the 3,000m steeplechase.

Kemboi won in 8:09.55, Kipruto came second with 8:09.95 and Koech was third in 8:10.22. Ugandan Benjamin Kiplagat set a national record of 8:12.98 in sixth position.

South African Godfrey Khotso Mokoena wonm the men's Long Jump in a season's best leap of 8.33m

Former world junior champion David Rudisha of Kenya braved stiff challenge from other strong rivals to take the 800m win in 1:44.09. 

Sudan’s Ismail Ahmed Ismail was second in a personal best time of 1:44.31 and Olympic 1500m silver medallist Asbel Kiprop was third in a time of 1:44.54 while Berlin 1500m winner Augustine Choge, settled for fourth with a personal best time of 1:44.86.

World champion and Olympic silver medalist, Alfred Kirwa Yego, faded badly after taken the lead from the bell, but was soon overtaken by the others and ended sixth with a season's best 1:45.58.

South African Samson Ngoepe (1:45.17) blitzed past Kenyan Jackson Kivuna (1:45.29) to win the 800m B race - both personal bests times respectively.

Ethiopia’s Melkamu Meselech defeated Kenya's World Cross Country Championships silver medalist Linet Masai and Kenya's World Athletics final silver medalist Vivian Cheruiyot in the wome's 5000m.

Melkamu won the race with a new World leading time of 14:34.17, Masai was second with a personal best of  14:34.36 while Cheruiyot was third on 14:38.26 and Ethiopian Ayalew Yimer Wude was fourth in a personal best 14:50.67.

Full Results from Ostrava Golden Spikes