Wilson Boit Kipketer won a dramatic sprint finish between three Kenyans after the final water jump to clinch the first major title of his career in the 3,000 metres steeplechase. After world record holder and defending champion Moses Kiptanui had led from the start, the 23-year-old Kipketer burst past his more famous compatriot down the home straight to win in eight minutes 5.84 seconds.

Kiptanui, who was bidding to become the first man to win four successive world track titles, took silver in 8:06.04, with Bernard Barmasai completing a Kenyan clean sweep in exactly the same time.

It was the second consecutive time that Kiptanui has lost out in a tight finish at a major championship after winning the world title in 1991, 1993 and 1995.

At last year's Atlanta Olympics Kiptanui could also not match the final kick of compatriot and training partner, Joseph Keter, and also took silver.

"When I broke through I knew the race was mine because I have been training specifically for the last 300 metres," Kipketer said. "It's great that Kenya got one-two-three. It is what the Kenyan people have been waiting for.

"I think that the three of us could co-operate to break the record."