Uganda’s long distance runner Jacob Kiplimo has won the men’s 3000m at the Diamond League, nine days after winning the 5000m race in Ostrava.
Kiplimo beat Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen down the stretch to come home in 7:26.64 in an event at Stadio Olympico in Rome, Italy.
Pre-race favourite Ingebrigtsen finished second at 7:27.05 while Australia’s Stewart McSweyn took third place after clocking 7:28.02.
Kiplimo’s 7:26.64 is the fastest time over 3000m since 2007.
Consequently, this is his personal best, previously 7:43.73, which he had set in Doha in 2017.
Its also a new National Record time for Uganda. The previous best was set by Moses Ndiema Kipsiro at 7:30.95 in Monaco, France in 2009.
Unlike in Ostrava where he had to hold on to overcome Ethiopia’s Seleman Barega, the 19-year old has had to dig deep before scooping gold.
Ingebrigtsen was on course for a win before a late surge by Kiplimo who outpaced the Norwegian just metres away to the finish line.
In the race that lived to the billing, Kiplimo’s last kick saw him outpace Ingebrigtsen with confidence and determination to take the top spot on the podium.
This was the first meeting between the two youngsters since the 2018 World U20 5000m final when Ingebrigtsen finished third as Kiplimo settled for a lowly sixth.
His victory is the latest for Uganda who earlier saw Joshua Cheptegei smash a 5000m world record in Monaco last month.
Kiplimo is the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Junior Champion and also won the bronze in the 2016 World U20 Championship.
