After winning the 5000 metres Saturday, Saif Saaeed Shaheen (QAT-ASI) said that he was thinking of running both the 5000m and the 3000m Steeplechase in Osaka next year, and this would be a tryout. Today he showed he is ready for prime time.
He followed Paul Kipsiele Koech (AFR-KEN) for most of the race as the two easily drew away from the rest of the field. Then, with 250 metres to go, Shaheen passed the Kenyan and built a three-metre lead. Koech did his best, but there was no beating Shaheen today. He ran a 57.1 last lap and crossed the line in 8:19.09 to Koech’s 8:19.37.
Said Shaheen, “I wasn’t tired by yesterday and I am very satisfied for fulfilling all my goals.”
James Dunaway
