Abel Mutai

Abel Kiprop Mutai is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase.

Life and career

He was born in Nandi. He won the gold medal at the 2005 [World Youth Championships in Athletics|2005 World Youth Championships], a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, placed seventh at the 2013 [World Championships in Athletics|2013 World Championship] and finished ninth at the 2009 IAAF [World Athletics Final|2009 World Athletics Final].
In addition to these, he won the 2000 m steeplechase at the 2007 African Junior Championship. He suffered an Achilles tendon injury which kept him out of competition for all of 2010.
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.
In January 2013, a video showing fellow long-distance runner Iván Fernández gently guiding a lost Mutai towards the finish line during the Burlada Cross Country race, instead of passing him to win, went viral. Fernández was globally praised for his sportsmanship.