Frederik Ruppert added European gold to the European file he set earlier this season, powering to victory within the males’s 3000m steeplechase, with Luxembourg’s Ruben Querinjean taking a shock silver forward of German team-mate Karl Bebendorf.
Frederik Ruppert confirmed his standing because the excellent steeplechaser in Europe this yr as he cruised to gold in Sunday’s 3000m steeplechase closing at Alexander Stadium. It capped an outstanding season for the German, who earlier this yr turned the primary European in historical past to interrupt the eight-minute barrier for the space, clocking 7:57.80 in Rabat.
The race itself was cagey for lengthy spells, with the tempo solely lifting considerably within the closing phases as Spain’s Daniel Arce pushed issues alongside. Ruppert took full management with 400m to go and whereas Ruben Querinjean appeared harmful as he closed in with 200m remaining, the German had sufficient in reserve to drag away once more within the residence straight and win in 8:25.33.
Ruppert defined: „My energy within the flat races offers me confidence that I am the perfect lengthy distance runner within the area, which helps lots, particularly as I am not the perfect technician. I want to ensure I’ve different strengths to win these races.“
He additionally paid tribute to the energy of German steeplechasing. „We’ve so many nice athletes, even athletes which might be pushing from behind. The good competitors in Germany helps us lots. Me and Karl (Bebendorf, who received bronze) are getting quicker every season, which comes from everybody else additionally enhancing and pushing us.“
Trying forward, Ruppert made clear his ambitions lengthen past the European stage. „I’d like to step as much as a worldwide podium however we must see. Situations right here had been a lot better than Tokyo the place it was too sizzling for me. I hope from right now and this season my performances will give me the arrogance to push the highest guys like El Bakkali and hopefully get a medal on the Worlds or Olympics.“
Querinjean’s silver in 8:25.61 represented an enormous end result for Luxembourg, giving the nation their first European athletics medal since David Fiegen’s 800m silver in 2006. Bebendorf, the pre-championships co-favourite alongside Ruppert and bronze medallist in Rome two years in the past, needed to settle for a similar color medal once more this time, clocking 8:26.65.
Arce, the 34-year-old Spanish veteran who had by no means completed decrease than sixth in a European closing, continued that file with fourth in 8:27.02, whereas there was no defence of the title for Rome champion Alexis Miellet, who didn’t function among the many finishers.
It was a tricky night time for the British contingent, with all three representatives off the tempo that mattered. Kristian Imroth was the main Briton in twelfth (8:33.89), with William Battershill 14th (8:34.73) and Zak Seddon fifteenth (8:35.83), a troublesome night for a trio who will look to regroup earlier than the subsequent main championships.
Imroth mentioned he felt flat on the finish of a protracted season, whereas Seddon, who was fifth in these championships in 2018, had struggled with harm and sickness at essential factors within the season not too long ago.
Males’s 3000m steeplechase: 1 Frederik Ruppert (GER) 8:25.33; 2 Ruben Querinjean (LUX) 8:25.61; 3 Karl Bebendorf (GER) 8:26.65; 4 Daniel Arce (ESP) 8:27.02; 5 Pierre Boudy (FRA) 8:28.90; 6 Alejandro Quijada (ESP) 8:29.15; 7 Rémi Schyns (BEL) 8:29.25; 8 Nicolas-Marie Daru (FRA) 8:29.46; … 12 Kristian Imroth (GBR) 8:33.89; … 14 William Battershill (GBR) 8:34.73; … 15 Zak Seddon (GBR) 8:35.83
