Kibathi outsprints Sime to secure U20 title in Belgrade

Samuel Kibathi ensured the individual and team titles remained in Kenyan possession, producing a well-timed finish to win double U20 men’s gold at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24.

Just minutes after watching the Ethiopian team sweep the podium places in the U20 women’s race, Kenya’s U20 men were determined not to let the same happen in their race. Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto and Charles Rotich took an early lead, followed by compatriots Shadrack Rono Kipkemei and Johana Erot.

Ethiopia’s Sewmehon Anteneh made his way to the front of the pack on the second lap, while Ugandan trio Simba Samuel Cherop, Sailas Rotich and Dolphine Chelimo also made their presence felt.

By the end of the second 1.9km lap, which was covered in 5:26, Erot led from fellow Kenyans Kipkemei and Rotich with about 12 runners still in contention in the lead pack.

Within a few minutes, the group had been strung out into single file as Ethiopia’s Mezgebu Sime attempted to join Kipkemei at the front. Kipkemei, Anteneh and Samuel Kibathi led the pack going into the last lap, but nine men were still in with a shout.

Kipruto jumped the hay bales on the final lap in an attempt to gain a slight edge while the majority of the pack opted to weave in and out of them.

In the closing stages, Sime edged into the lead but Kibathi responded with a surge of his own. With the finish line in sight, Kibathi kicked hard and managed to hold off the challenge of his Ethiopian rival, crossing the line in 22:40.

Sime finished just one second behind to take silver in 22:41, while Kipruto claimed bronze in 22:46.

"It was my first world championships, so it means a lot to me to win here," said Kibathi, the African U20 10,000m bronze medallist. "The pace was very fast and it almost ruined my plans for this race. I had planned to stay behind and attack at the finish. It was so tough and so hard, I feel exhausted now. But it means a lot to me, I wanted this so much so I I was really pushing fast towards the finish.

"I am going back to Japan now, then I plan on preparing for the Kenyan Olympic trials. My dream for the future is to win an Olympic and world title. I believe this can be a good start for my future career."

With four men in the top six, Kenya retained their team title. Ethiopia, with four finishers in the top eight, took team silver, while Uganda – led by 11th-place finisher Cherop – earned team bronze. 

Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics

• Watch World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 highlights