Morocco's champ El Guerrouj wins world title again in Spain
Morocco, Sports, 8/25/1999

Morocco's field and track star, Hicham El-Guerrouj, won on Tuesday in Seville (Spain) the 1,500 m world title for the second consecutive time, confirming his supremacy in the distance.

With this new victory, El Guerrouj consolidated his status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history with a commanding performance, retaining his world 1,500-meter title captured during the past world athletics championships held in Athens.

In Seville, El Guerrouj set a new championship record with a time of 3:27.65. That's the fifth-fastest time ever run at that distance.

El Guerrouj, 25, has already won the 1,500 m world indoor and outdoor titles and an Olympic gold medal on the same distance. He also holds the world records in the mile and 1,500 m.

El-Guerrouj, who confirmed anew that he is the unbeaten king of the middle distance, has dedicated his victory to King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people. He also thanked his compatriot Adil El Kouch who sacrificed himself to ensure a fast pace to the race, exhausting his challengers Noah Ngeny of Kenya and Spaniards Reyes Estevez and Fermin Cacho.

Thanks to El Guerrouj's gold medal and to the bronze captured by Adil Ezzine in the 3,000 steeplechase, Morocco ranks 8th on the standings board topped by USA advancing Germany and Russia.

Moroccan woman runner Zahra Ouaziz qualified Tuesday for the 5,000 m finals as did her countrywoman Nezha Bedouane in the 400-m hurdle. The qualification of these two athletes increases Morocco's chances to win more medals.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco wins first medal at the world athletics championships   (8/24/1999)
  Moroccan athletes El-Guerrouj and El-Kouch qualify to 1,500 m world championship final   (8/23/1999)

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