Jacob Kiplimo has broken Moses Kipsiro’s national record (7:30.95) in the 3000m after winning an intriguing Rome Diamond League race Thursday night.
The Ugandan ace prevailed over fellow 19-year-old, Jakob Ingebrigtsen from Norway in a pulsating men’s 3000m race. His time of 7.26.64 is a national record for Uganda, World lead and Diamond League record. It is also the fastest time since 2007.
Kiplimo raced past Ingebrigtsen down the home straight, storming to victory and winning the battle of the teenagers.
The race comes just a week after Kiplimo won the 5000m race on Ostrava in another stunning personal best time of 12:48.63.
World record holder for the 5000m Joshua Cheptegei hailed his countryman.
“Huge congratulations to my colleague Jacob kiplimo upon running the 6th fastest all time over 3000m in Rome with a time of 7:26, running a world lead, national record, the future is indeed bright. Let’s carry this momentum unto next year’s Olympic games,” Cheptegei said.