ATHENS. Aug 7: Hicham El Guer-rouj took over from fellow North African Noureddine Morceli as the new king of the 1.500 metres on Wednesday with an emphatic victory on the fifth day of the World Championships, reports Reuter.

El Guerrouj. who has mounted a concerted assault on Morceli's world outdoor records this year without success so far. won the men's 1,500 in three minutes 35.83 seconds.

"Morceli had his time,” the Moroccan said. “He's been such a great champion, I guess It's my turn."'

Algerian Morceli. three times the world champion, had no response to the power, ag-Session and confidence of his oroccan rival.

El Guerrouj bided his time, kicked with 500 to run and glided to his first major title.

"It was a classic example of a sit and kick race," he said.

Halle Gebrselassie, who had planned to miss these championships because of concern over the hard track, was equally devastating in the men's 10,000 metres final.

The tiny Ethiopian coasted

behind the leaders before suddenly accelerating with 600 metres remaining to win in 27:28.67 as dusk fell on the Olympic stadium.

"I am proud to have won three world titles.” he said. •

Czech Tomas Dvorak spurned the chance of a world record after setting six personal bests on his way to the decathlon title.

Another personal best in the final event would have overtaken Dan O’Brien's mark but Dvorak opted to jog through the 1.500 metres. American O'Brien, the Olympic and world champion, missed the championships through injury.

"I was playing safe throughout the competition, never experimenting," Dvorak explained.

Javier Sotomayor reclaimed his world high jump title after two years of foot, ankle and knee injuries, winning with a leap of 2.37 metres.

"I panicked a bit when I failed my first jump of the competition at 2.25 but when I cleared 2.35 very easily I knew I had the gold medal." the Cuban said.

As expected, a Kenyan won the 3.000 steeplechase title.

But this time it was not three

times champion Moses Kip-tanui but his teammate Wilson Bolt Klpketer.

Kiptanui was given second place in the same time as another Kenyan Bernard Barmas-sai.

It's great that Kenya got one-two-three." Klpketer said. "It Is what the Kenyan people have been waiting for."