Abel Kiprop Mutai (born 2 October 1988) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase.
Life and career He was born in Nandi. He won the gold medal at the 2005 World Youth Championships, a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, placed seventh at the 2013 World Championship and finished ninth at the 2009 World Athletics Final.
In addition to these, he won the 2000 m steeplechase at the 2007 African Junior Championship. He suffered an Achilles tendon injury which kept him out of competition for all of 2010.
His personal best times are 8:05.16 minutes in the 3000 metres, achieved in June 2006 in Lisbon; and 8:01.67 minutes in the 3000 metres steeplechase, achieved in May 2012 in Rome.
In January 2013, a video went viral showing Mutai stopping short of the finish line during the Burlada Cross Country race after misunderstanding the signage. Fellow long-distance runner Iván Fernández caught up to Mutai and guided him towards the actual finish line instead of passing him to win. Fernández was globally praised for his sportsmanship.Carlos Arribas. Honesty of the long-distance runner: Vitoria-based athlete Iván Fernández Anaya refused to take advantage when his rival stopped short of the finishing line in a cross-country race, El Pais, 24 February 2013Spanish Runner Intentionally Loses To Abel Mutai, After The Kenyan Mistook The Finish Line (Video), Nairobi Wire, 22 January 2013Michael Katz. Heartwarming proof that sportsmanship is not dead, USA TODAY, January 19, 2013.Spanish runner Iván Fernández Anaya helps opponent Abel Mutai win cross-country race, Vancouver Sun, January 18, 2013.
Competition record Representing 2005World Youth ChampionshipsMarrakesh, Morocco1st2000 m s'chase5:24.692011All-Africa GamesMaputo, Mozambique8th3000 m s'chase8:36.752012African ChampionshipsPorto-Novo, Benin1st3000 m s'chase8:16.05Olympic GamesLondon, United Kingdom3rd3000 m s'chase8:19.73
References