 Bekele (left) defies the muddy conditions to triumph |
Kenenisa Bekele claimed the 12km world cross country crown to become the first athlete to win both the long and short course titles three-straight times. The Ethiopian battled against the wind and rain in Brussels on Sunday to triumph in 35 minutes and 52 seconds.
Bekele had already devastated the field on Saturday to take the 4km title.
Fellow Ethiopians Gebre-Egziabher Gerbremariam and Sileshi Sihine took second and third places to complete a clean sweep of the medals.
The trio's performance ensured that Ethiopia ended Kenya's 18-year dominance in the men's team event.
Bekele stayed nestled in the pack of runners until the end of the third lap when he accelerated away from his competitors.
Sihine and Gerbremariam, who had already won 4km silver, went with the world 10,000m champion. Kenyan duo Eliud Kipchoge and Charles Kamathi stayed in the hunt but they were no match for the Ethiopians.
World 5,000m champion Kipchoge slipped out of contention and settled for fourth.
Bekele was untroubled by the slippery, muddy conditions and waved to the crowd as he crossed the finish line.
The 21-year-old was a massive 18 seconds ahead of Gerbremariam who was forced to battle out a sprint finish for the silver.
Bekele's previous world cross country successes came in Dublin in 2002 and in Lausanne last year.
MMIX
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