Kamathi succeeds where generation failed

Kenyan policeman Charles Kamathi succeeded on Wednesday where a generation of his distinguished compatriots failed over the best part of a decade.

On the sixth day of the eighth world championships, the world cross country champion handed Haile Gebrselassie his first defeat over 10,000 metres since 1993.

During that period the little Ethiopian with the giant stride has won four world titles and two Olympic gold medals while setting 12 world records and three world bests.

After a sedate start on Wednesday, the final event of the night evolved into a contest between Ethiopia and Kenya with Gebrselassie looking comfortable in second place.

On the last lap, Gebrselassie was still well-placed when Kamathi shot to the front with 150 metres to run and surged again off the final bend to win by five metres in 27 minutes 53.25 seconds.

Ethiopian Assefa Mezgebu took second place with Gebrselassie, who has not run a race all year after foot surgery last November, fading to third.

"Being the first man to beat Gebrselassie since 1993 would be any athlete's proudest moment," Kamathi said. "But I knew when I came here I could win the gold."

Paul Tergat, who retired from the track this year after winning four silver medals and a bronze behind Gebrselassie in global competitions, must be wondering at his timing.

The five times world cross country champion has now moved up to the marathon after finishing an agonising nine-hundredths of a second behind Gebrselassie in last year's Sydney Olympic final.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Organisers of the London marathon in particular have been seeking Gebrselassie's signature for a match-up with Tergat. But on Wednesday, Gebrselassie said he still had unfinished business on the track.

Gebrselassie had wanted to win a fifth world title in Edmonton then carry on to the 2003 championships in Paris and equal Ukrainian pole vaulter Sergei Bubka's record of six. Now he wants revenge.

"To move from the 10 kilometres is not acceptable," he said. "I want to win something back again. It's not a good time to move to the marathon."

The 10,000 title was a welcome bonus for the Kenyans, who earlier confirmed their hegemony in the 3,000 metres steeplechase.

Olympic champion Reuben Kosgei extended the Kenyan grip on their favourite event which stretches back to the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

But he had to fend off a late charge from Morocco's Olympic bronze medallist Ali Ezzine, who ensured Kenya would not take the first two places for the first time since the 1991 Tokyo world championships.

"I gave my Olympic gold medal to my parents but I will keep this one for myself," Kosgei said. "It feels nice to be Olympic and world champion."

GERMAN SUCCESS

Germany also enjoyed a good night at the Commonwealth Stadium with Lars Riedel taking a fifth successive men's discus title and Martin Buss winning the men's high jump.

Riedel is now hot on Bubka's heels and warned his rivals there is more to come.

"Discus is my game, it is what I want to do," Riedel said. "It is not the end yet."

View the slide show