
Asbel Kiprop(left) just won the Bowerman Mile at the Pre Classic this past Sunday with a 3:48 (
http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?do=view&video_id=13535).
This wasn't any 3:48 for a couple reasons. First, this kid is supposedly 19 years old, though he could be 21 or 22. Secondly, he began his celebration coming off the final turn while he was still in second place. He blessed himself before he even passed the world leader in Haron Keitany and continued to do so throughout the final 100 meters. He finished with some self-righteous clapping, a kiss to the crowd at Hayward Field, and the finger wag that he coined during the Olympics. It is hard to believe what he could've run had he finished with everything he had.
Finally, this was his first mile. Ever.
It is also hard to say that this kid won't steal Hicham el Guerrouj's world record mile, 3:43.13. Surely no one can compete with this kid right now. And when you compare the American sensations his age (Derrick, Puskedra, German Fernandez), they look like chumps. When you compare him to every other American, they look like chumps as well.
He's already won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics which should soon be turned gold. Had it not been for Rashid Ramzi, the blood doping winner, Kiprop would have obliterated the competition. This kid is the best and the favorite to win gold at the World Champs.