Wilson Kipketer, the Kenyan who became a naturalised Dane less than a year ago, is still the most proficient two-lap runner in the world after keeping his world 800 metres title in Athens last evening.

The man, who was introduced to running by the Irish Presentation Brother, Colm O'Connell at St Patrick's School in Iten in Kenya's western highlands, was again in a different class to those around him as he came home on his own to win from the Cuban, Norberto Tellez in one minute 43.38 seconds.

At one point in his colourful career, he finished third in the Cork Co championship after Br O'Connell had taken a group of his athletes on an Irish tour in 1989. Now world championship gold proved readily more attainable when he disillusioned his rivals by going out in 23.47 seconds for the first 200 metres.

In earlier races, he had cavorted at the back of the field before hitting the front in a matter of 40 metres or less. Now he chose to do it the other way but the effect on the opposition was no less devastating.

Coming out of the last bend, Tellez was closing on him but never quickly enough to pose even the remotest threat. It was only then, for the first time since setting down in Greece, that Kipketer's face betrayed any sign of stress but that is a relative phrase.

Now he goes chasing the long established world record which he shares with Sebastian Coe, at Zurich next Wednesday and in the opinion of Alberto Juanterino, one of the most celebrated of all 800 metres runners, he is capable of doing it.

"Wilson can take the record any time he chooses," he said. "He's now unbeatable at the distance but still capable of running even faster. What I like about him is that he uses his brains as well as his body."

If Kipketer eclipses the existing figures of one minute 41.73 seconds in Switzerland, it will present his old tutor with something of a problem. When the first of his proteges began winning major titles and setting world records Br O'Connell planted a rose bush in his garden to mark the achievement. Now after an impressive train of success, he is in danger of running out of garden space.

Patrick Konchellah, whose older brother Billy won this title at Rome 10 years ago, looked certain to make the bronze medal his own behind Kipketer and Tellez until the unfancied American, Rick Kenah caught him on the line.

Ato Boldon came into his kingdom belatedly but with no little gratitude after winning the 200 metres championship, his first major title, on a vibrant, exciting night in the Olympic stadium.

In doing so, he detached himself from the label of one of the sport's perennial losers after failing to match pedigree with performance in these championships two years ago and again in the Olympic Games in Atlanta last summer.

Now, he was impregnable, however, in a flawless exhibition of bend running which enabled him to cut back the stagger on those outside him, before running away from the pursuit over the last 30 metres.

Frankie Fredericks was cast in a familiar role, taking the silver medal in 20.23 seconds, 19/100s of a second slower than Bolden with Brazil's Claudinei Da Silva again finishing powerfully to claim third place.

The women's equivalent was won by the Ukranian, Zhanna Pintussevich and in that, there was, perhaps, an element of justice. Pintussevich was so certain that she had touched off Marion Jones in the 100 metres final last Saturday, that she promptly embarked on a lap of honour which was halted only after the official result had been flashed on the scoreboard.

Now, six days later, she was able to complete that victory lap after coming through strongly in the last quarter of the race to beat the Sri Lankan, Susanthika Jayasinghe and the ageless Merlene Ottey in 22.32 seconds.

Jonathan Edwards surrendered the triple jump championship he won in Gothenburg two years ago but only after a tense, protracted struggle with the Cuban, Yoelvis Quesada. The new champion laid down an early bench mark by breaking the sand at 17.85 metres and while Edwards improved to 17.69 on his last visit to the pit, it wasn't enough.