Yomi Omogbeja (06/09/2004)

A new U-18 3000m World record by Kenyan Augustine Choge and the year's fourth fastest finish in the 800m for compatriot Joseph Mutua, were the major highlights of a spectacular night of athletics at the IAAF Grand Prix meeting in Rieti.

Augustine Choge, the World Junior 5000m champion and World Youth Championships 3000m gold medallist, lighted up the Raul Guidobaldi stadium track with a fast time of 7:36.82 beating the previous record (7:39.22 in Brussels 2002) held by Hillary Chenonge.

Compatriot Boniface Songok who led at the bell till about 200 metres to go, finished second with 7:39.25.

Kenyan Joseph Mutua won the men’s 800 metres in 1:43.35 overhauling former countryman and son of the two-time World champion Billy Konchellah, Youssef Saad Kamel of Bahrain, in a very close final sprint in the home stretch.

Kamel finished in 1:43.43 ahead of Kenyan-born World record holder Wilson Kipketer of Denmark who was third in 1:43.89.

Mutua said: “I finished very close to my PB. I like competing in Rieti because the weather conditions are excellent and the track is very fast.

“I am sad because I missed the Olympic Games because of some mistakes in the semi-final. This win in Rieti in one of the fastest 800 metres races of the season and makes-up for the Athens disappointment.”

Kenya’s Alex Kipchirchir, also won the 1500 metres in 3:33.83 beating his compatriot Robert Rono to the second position in 3:34.35. Algeria’s Kamal Boulahfane was third in 3:34.52.

Both Olympic champion Hicham El Guerrouj and silver medallist Bernard Lagat pulled out of the meet citing fatigue.