Bekele makes history, then says 'enough'

Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele completed a historic double by storming to the men's 12-kilometre title at the world cross country championships yesterday - then announced he would not be back.

The 23-year-old twice IAAF athlete of the year became the first man to win both the 4km and 12km titles five years in a row following his triumph in Saturday's short race.

Bekele, the Olympic and world 10,000 metres champion, broke away from his closest rivals with a powerful finish, crossing the line in 35 minutes 40 seconds at Fukuoka's seaside course. He then declared he would probably not run at another world cross country championships.

"I cannot achieve anything new," Bekele told reporters. "I'm leaning towards not competing at the world cross country any more."

Fellow Ethiopian Sileshi Sihine took silver in 35:43, partly making up for his disappointment in the 4km race where he had to settle for 12th. Kenya's Martin Irungu Mathathi was third in 35:44.

Last year's junior champion Gelete Burika Bati, of Ethiopia, won the women's 4km title in 12:51. Kenya's Priscah Jepleting Ngetich was second in 12:53 and Ethiopia's Meselech Melkamu third in 12:54.

Pre-race favourite Tirunesh Dibaba failed to finish after winning Saturday's 8km race.