The battle between the former and current Olympic champions never happened as the two bowed out of the race at the Paris Diamond League Meeting that was held on Saturday (28) at the Stade Charlety in Paris.
The 2020 Tokyo champion, Soufiane El Bakkali from Morocco was the first to bow out as he collided to the first barrier forcing him to pull out while Conseslus Kipruto pulled out in the third round of the race.
The race had its uniqueness as Tokyo bronze medallist Benjamin Kigen led 1-2-3.
The 2019 African games gold medallist started pulling away from the group at the bell and continued to increase his momentum creating a gap at the last 20m to cross the line with one of his finest kick clocking a world lead time of 8.07.12.
The 28 year-old was followed by the 2015 African Junior Athletics Championships gold medallist Abraham Kibiwot who crossed the line in 8:09.35 with Leonard Kipkemoi Bett closing the podium three finishes in 8:10.21.
Ethiopia’s Getnet Wale finished in fourth place in 8:13.31 while Hillary Bor from the United States finished a distant ninth in 8:21.02.
LEADING RESULTS
3000m Steeplechase Men
- Benjamin Kigen (KEN) 8:07.12
- Abraham Kibiwot (KEN) 8:09.35
- Leonard Bett (KEN) 8:10.21
- Getnet Wale (ETH) 8:13.31
- Matthew Hughes (CAN) 8:13.77
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