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A Superb Double Victory by Qatar’s Saif Shaheen in 3000m and 5000m Steeplechase during IAAF World Cup in Athens

Qatar’s glorious Saif Saeed Shaheen could achieve a double victory in the IAAF World Cup in Athens on Sunday, the 17th of September 2006. His double victory involved a 5000m event (16/9/2006) as well as the 3000m Steeplechase on 17/9/2006.
Shaheen, who represents Asia in this World Cup, crossed the 3000m steeplechase with a new record of (8:19.09) leaving the second rank to the Kenyan Paul Kipsiele Koech (represents Africa) who took 8:19.37 to cross the finish line. The third rank was seized by the French athlete Buabdullah Tahri in 8:29.06.
Almost any race which includes double World 3000m Steeplechase Saif Saaeed Shaheen (ASI-QAT) is likely to be both enjoyable to watch and exciting. This 5000m was no exception. He sprinted to a 20m lead in the middle of the race and then slowed to a jog (as did in Paris in 2003). With two laps to go, Matt Tegenkamp (USA) led by a step or two from Mike Kigen (AFR-KEN) and Shaheen. Then, suddenly, down the backstretch, Shaheen sprinted into the lead again, opening up a 20m advantage once more. In the final lap, Shaheen continued constantly and crossed the finish line in 13:35.30 to the Kenyan Kigen’s 13:36.19 and the American Matt Tegenkamp third in 13:36.83.
“It’s not about time,” Shaheen said. “The most important thing was to win. I actually wanted to take this opportunity to beat Kenenisa Bekele of Kenya, but he withdrew before the race and ruined the enjoyment inside me. I’ll run the steeplechase tomorrow. I have the idea of doubling at next year’s World Championships, so it will be a kind of trying in advance,” Shaheen added.

Qatar’s Abdulrahaman Sulaiman participated in the 1500m event in Asia’s team. He achieved the 7th rank among 9 competitors. His time consumption reached 3:55.67. The results of this event are as stated bellow:

1 Alex Kipchirchir (KEN & AFR) 3:52.60
2 Ivan Heshko (UKR & EUR) 3:53.33
3 Nicholas Willis (NZL & OCE) 3:54.76
4 Gabriel Jennings (USA) 3:55.09
5 Ramil Aritkulov (RUS) 3:55.11
6 Nathan Brannen (CAN & AME) 3:55.16
7 Abdulrahman Suleiman (QAT & ASI) 3:55.67
8 Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (FRA) 3:55.89
9 Panayiótis Ikonómou (GRE) 3:59.00