Uganda's Kiplangat wins men's world marathon title
Ugandan Victor Kiplangat won the men's marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Sunday after producing a devastating final third to leave his rivals trailing in his wake.
The Commonwealth champion clocked a winning time of 2hr 08min 53sec on the streets of the Hungarian capital after breaking free in the last 15 kilometres.
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Israel's Ethiopian-born Maru Teferi followed up on his European silver last year with second place in 2:09.12, while Ethiopian Leul Gebresilase took bronze (2:09.19).
"This has been my dream and it has come true at last," said Kiplangat.
"Last year I was Commonwealth Games champion and that made me think, this year I must become world champion. Now my prayers have been answered and hopefully next year in Paris I will become Olympic champion, too."
Kiplangat added: "It was hard today because it was so hot, but I felt comfortable because I prepared well for this weather. I knew it was possible because I had trained well."
Well-timed surge
Kiplangat and teammate Stephen Kissa, along with Ethiopians Gebresilase, Tsegaye Getachew and Tamirat Tola, and Kenya's Timothy Kiplagat went through the 30km mark in a tight grouping in 1hr 32.
Kissa then took a tumble after catching Kiplagat's heel, leaving Kiplangat to move clear with Gebresilase.
Over the next 5km, Kiplangat, 23, surged to successfully drop the lead pack, Gebresilase falling 15sec behind.
"When I reached 30km I knew I felt strong and decided to push," said Kiplangat. "I had great energy and that allowed me to go. Then at 35km I could surge again.
"That was always my plan and I managed to do it. The pace was high but I had more to give. It was tough but I always felt I had