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, a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, placed seventh at the 2013 World Championship and finished ninth at the 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.