Bekele confirmed his dominance of the event

The Ethiopian world record holder and Olympic champion led home compatriot Sileshi Sihine, who took silver behind Bekele as he did in Athens last year.

Bekele bided his time, only kicking for home with 200m left before crossing the line in 27.08:33.

Kenya's Moses Mosop ran a personal best of 27.08.96 to claim the bronze medal.

Bekele has also been selected for the 5,000m starting on Thursday, but has yet to confirm he will run.

"I don't know yet, it is very difficult this year," said the 23-year-old, whose victory rounded off a traumatic season after the sudden death of his fiancee and Alem Techale in January.

"It wasn't easy tonight with the rain," he insisted. "It was a difficult race but it is very nice to win two World Championships. Thank God I won."

After an intitial surge from Japanese runner Terukazu Omori, Bekele was content to let Ethiopian team-mates Abebe Dinkessa and Sihine take the strain at the front.

The duo upped the pace approaching the halfway stage, with a series of laps around 63 seconds.

But Bekele moved towards the front after 6000m, apparently unhappy with the pace and issuing instructions to his team-mates.

After a slower lap of 65 seconds, Bekele hit the front himself with eight-and-a-half laps left before allowing Sihine to stretch the field again.

But Mosop and fellow Kenyan Martin Mathati continued to stay with the three Ethiopians, despite a punishing 61-second lap with five remaining.

Mathati led approaching the bell before the three Ethiopians advanced to the front in one surge.