(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-07-29 11:00

NAIROBI - Olympic 3,000 metres steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi atoned for his loss in the All-Africa Games by winning at the Kenyan world championships trials on Saturday.

Kenya's Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi Yano receives help after crossing the finish line to win the men's 3,000 metres steeplechase final at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi July 28, 2007. Kemboi won the event. The race was in preparation for the World Championships in Osaka, Japan. [AP]

 

Kemboi, who had only one day's rest after travelling from Algiers, clocked eight minutes 17.52 seconds.

"We spent two days travelling from Algiers to Nairobi and this had a toll on me but I am happy I won today," he told reporters.

Brimin Kipruto was second in 8:18.19 and Richard Matelong third in 8:18.44.

World half-marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru managed only fourth place in the men's 10,000 after receiving treatment for malaria.

"I had malaria two weeks before the race. I was being treated and had only a week to train," he said.

The race was won by Josephat Muchiri Ndambiri with a time of 28:09.0. Martin Irungu Mathaithi was second in 28:12.4.

Isaac Songok won the mens 5,000 metres in 13:20.00 ahead of Joseph Ebuya who clocked 13:20.40.

World indoor champion Wilfred Bungei clocked 1:46.60 to win the men's 800 metres.