Kenyan athlete wins Diamond League steeplechase race with one shoe
One shoe wonder!
Kipruto finished the men's 3000m steeplechase final in 8:10.15 and narrowly edged out Moroccan Soufiane el Bakkali who finished at 8:10.19.
His shoe came off after only 1 minute 24 seconds into the race, and had to endure the remaining six minutes and 54 seconds with a single shoe.
The Olympic champion was, however, able to grind out a thrilling victory that ended with a sprint to the finish.
Injured
"I have big pain,” Kipruto said, according to meet organizers. “I am injured because I lost my left shoe. That was a mess.”
The organisers of the event, IAAF Diamond League, acknowledged the performance saying, ‘‘Why not test yourself? The moment Conseslus Kipruto lost his shoe... and still won the Men’s 3000m Steeplechase".
A photo was shared after the race showing part of Kipruto's foot bandaged up.
Here is a video of the dramatic final:
Kenya's Conseslus Kipruto wins steeplechase race with one shoe
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