Running with only one shoe,the 2016 gold medalist in the steeplechase finished most of his race down one spike. Conseslus Kipruto finished more than six laps worth of barriers and water jumps to win an intense Diamond League final in Zurich on Thursday.
It was an achievement that got the whole world taking notice and Kenyans were quick to applaud their national hero led by the Deputy President William Ruto.
Our indomitable spirit, determination and strength of character were in display at the Diamond League Final in Zurich as Conseslus Kipruto won the 3,000m steeplechase with one shoe on! Kudos to Hellen Obiri and Timothy Cheruiyot for winning the women’s 5,000m and men’s 1,500m. pic.twitter.com/7KaYhiq4ZB
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 31, 2018
And the BBC were impressed
When you still win gold despite running most of the race with one shoe.
Conseslus Kipruto, we salute you!
👉 https://t.co/uT2rEqBO1L pic.twitter.com/g8HhQaTlI8
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 30, 2018
Running with one shoe for most part of the race, Kenyan Olympic Champion Conseslus Kipruto won the men’s 3000m steeplechase race at the Diamond League in Zurich. What an athlete!!!#BambaSport #Legend pic.twitter.com/3iCIQuearS
— Bamba Sport (@BambaSports) August 31, 2018
This one is not Kenyan, surely..
Conseslus Kipruto was already a ton of fun to watch, but winning the Diamond League final with one shoe (he lost it 1:24 into the race) might be the most impressive thing he's ever done. What an amazing performance.
— Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) August 30, 2018
One of the greats
https://twitter.com/kenyanathlete/status/1035251644865421312
I guess if we keenly follow this story and ask Conseslus Kipruto why it was not a big deal to lose his shoe and still win the race, he will say – "Si hapo village tunakimbianga hata kwa mawe bila 'fiatu?'Kwa hii carpet ya Zurich siwezi shindwa."
— Sammi Nderitu (@SammiNderitu) August 31, 2018
congrats Conseslus Kipruto by winning 3,000m steeplechase with one shoe on gudos brother. pic.twitter.com/N0LSzbqoVT
— KALENJIN FINEST🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪 (@koech_chinese) August 31, 2018