LAUSANNE (Switzerland), March 29: Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele successfully defended his world cross-country short-course title on Saturday.

Bekele, who was laid low by a blood disorder in the run-up to the championships, came home ahead of Kenya’s John Kibowen.

The 20-year-old Bekele created history last year when he became the first man to win both the short and long course in Dublin and outsprinted Kibowen 150 metres from the finish of the 4000-metre race to retain his title.

Bekele finished three seconds clear of Kibowen after completing the course in a time of 11 minutes one second.

Benjamin Limo was third to help Kenya to the team title ahead of Ethiopia.

Bekele will now hold talks with the Ethiopian federation to decide whether to run in Sunday’s long-course race.

Results

Women

6,200 metres 1. Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia) 20 minutes and 21 seconds 2. Peninah Chepchumba (Kenya) 20:22 3. Gelete Burika (Ethiopia) 20:28

Team winners: Ethiopia

Men

4,000 metres short course 1. Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) 11 minutes and 01 seconds 2. John Kibowen (Kenya) 11:04 3. Benjamin Lima (Kenya) 11:06

Team winners: Kenya—Reuters