Abel Kiprop Mutai (born 2 October 1988) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase.[1]

Abel Mutai
Mutai in the lead, in 2011
Personal information
Born (1988-10-02) October 2, 1988 (age 35)
Height1.87 m (6 ft 1+12 in)
Weight73 kg (161 lb)
Sport
Country Kenya
SportAthletics
Event3000m Steeplechase
Medal record
Men’s athletics
Representing  Kenya
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2012 London 3000 m st.
African Championships
Gold medal – first place 2012 Porto Novo 3000 m st.
Updated on 9 August 2012.

He was born in Nandi. He won the gold medal at the 2005 World Youth Championships, a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, seventh at the 2013 World Championship and finished ninth at the 2009 World Athletics Final.[1]

As well as these, he won the 2000 m steeplechase at the 2007 African Junior championship.[1] He suffered an Achilles tendon injury which kept him out of competition for all of 2010.[1]

His personal best times are 8:05.16 minutes in the 3000 metres, achieved in June 2006 in Lisbon; and 8:01.67 minutes in the 3000 metres steeplechase, achieved in May 2012 in Rome.[1]

In January 2013 a video of fellow long-distance runner Iván Fernández shoving a lost Mutai towards the finish line during the Burlada Cross Country race, rather than passing Mutai and winning the race, went viral. Fernández was globally praised for his sportsmanship.[2][3][4][5]

Competition record edit

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing   Kenya
2005 World Youth Championships Marrakech, Morocco 1st 2000 m s'chase 5:24.69
2011 All-Africa Games Maputo, Mozambique 8th 3000 m s'chase 8:36.75
2012 African Championships Porto Novo, Benin 1st 3000 m s'chase 8:16.05
Olympic Games London, United Kingdom 3rd 3000 m s'chase 8:19.73

References edit