World 3,000 metres steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya on Tuesday confirmed he will jump up to the marathon distance after the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Kemboi, 33, stunned the world to become the best ever steeplechaser when he won his fourth world title in the discipline in Beijing on Monday. It was Kemboi's sixth attempt in the event after his debut in Paris back in 2003, reports Xinhua.
"Now the focus will be in Rio Olympics," Kemboi said on Tuesday. "I knew my form and have planned well for the race, so it was no surprise for me when I sprinted to the gold in their final 200m. It is good that Kenya swept the podium winning the top four slots.
"But like the wine, I am getting better with old age and Rio will be certainly my last stop in the track as I plan to shift gears to the marathon," he added.
On Monday, Kemboi, the oldest man in the field at 33 years of age, crossed the line in 8:11.28 minutes, before pointing at his head with both hands to indicate that he was still the boss.
"I am still the best. But the younger athletes are coming up stronger and it will be always a battle," he added
Conseslus Kipruto, still only 21, took his second successive silver medal in 8:12.38 minutes while 30-year-old Brimin Kipruto returned to the podium in third place.
