{{short description|Kenyan long-distance runner}} {{Infobox sportsperson | image = Meeting Areva 2011 3 000 m steeple.jpg | caption = Mutai in the lead, in 2011 | nationality = | residence = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|10|2|df=y}} | birth_place = | height = {{height|m=1.87}} | weight = {{convert|73|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | country = {{KEN}} | sport = Athletics | event = 3000m Steeplechase | turnedpro = | coach = | worlds = | regionals = | nationals = | olympics = | highestranking = | pb = | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's athletics}} {{MedalCountry|{{KEN}}}} {{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}} {{MedalBronze|2012 London|3000 m st.}} {{MedalCompetition|African Championships}} {{MedalGold|2012 Porto-Novo|3000 m st.}} | updated = 9 August 2012 }} '''Abel Kiprop Mutai''' (born 2 October 1988) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase.<ref name="bio" />
==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.<ref name=bio>{{World Athletics}}</ref>
In addition to these, he won the 2000 m steeplechase at the 2007 African Junior Championship.<ref name="bio" /> He suffered an Achilles tendon injury which kept him out of competition for all of 2010.<ref name="bio" />
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.<ref name="bio" />
In January 2013, a video showing fellow long-distance runner Iván Fernández gently guiding a lost Mutai towards the finish line during the Burlada Cross Country race, instead of passing him to win, went viral. Fernández was globally praised for his sportsmanship.<ref>Carlos Arribas. [https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2012/12/19/inenglish/1355928581_856388.html 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 2013</ref><ref>[https://nairobiwire.com/2013/01/spanish-runner-intentionally-loses-to.html Spanish Runner Intentionally Loses To Abel Mutai, After The Kenyan Mistook The Finish Line (Video)], ''Nairobi Wire'', 22 January 2013</ref><ref>Michael Katz. [https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/01/19/ivan-fernandez-anaya-runner-loses-on-purpose/1847999/ Heartwarming proof that sportsmanship is not dead], ''USA TODAY'', January 19, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/spanish+runner+iv%C3%A1n+fern%C3%A1ndez+anaya+helps+opponent+abel+mutai+cross+country+race/7839439/story.html Spanish runner Iván Fernández Anaya helps opponent Abel Mutai win cross-country race], ''Vancouver Sun'', January 18, 2013.</ref>
==Competition record== {| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}} |- !colspan="6"|Representing {{KEN}} |- |2005 |World Youth Championships |Marrakesh, Morocco |bgcolor=gold|1st |2000 m s'chase |5:24.69 |- |2011 |All-Africa Games |Maputo, Mozambique |8th |3000 m s'chase |8:36.75 |- |rowspan=2|2012 |African Championships |Porto-Novo, Benin |bgcolor=gold|1st |3000 m s'chase |8:16.05 |- |Olympic Games |London, United Kingdom |bgcolor=cc9966|3rd |3000 m s'chase |8:19.73 |}
==References== {{Commons category|Abel Kiprop Mutai}} {{Reflist}} {{Footer African Champions men's steeplechase}} {{Footer IAAF World Youth Champions 2000 Metres Steeplechase Men}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mutai, Abel}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Kenyan men long-distance runners Category:Kenyan men steeplechase runners Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2012 Summer Olympics Category:Olympic athletes for Kenya Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Kenya Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics Category:Athletes from Nandi County Category:Olympic bronze medalists in athletics Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2011 All-Africa Games Category:African Games athletes for Kenya Category:21st-century Kenyan sportsmen