Kiprop sets world-leading time, Farah beaten in 1500m in Monaco

Reigning world champion Asbel Kiprop claimed a fifth fastest time over 1500 meters at the Monaco Diamond League meeting here on Friday, while Britain's Mo Farah was beaten to fourth.

The 2008 Olympic and two-time world title winning Kenyan stormed home in three minutes and 26.69 seconds, a world-leading result so far this year and a new meeting record at Herculis 2015.

His time is just 0.69 seconds off the sitting world record set 16 years ago by Hicham El Guerrouj of Moroccan in Rome.

"At the bell, I saw 2:31-2:32, so knew it could be a very fast time," said the 26-year-old.

"At the end I'm very satisfied, but can admit I wanted a bit faster," he added. "I felt strong. Monaco is my place."

"But as I said, it is great and confirms my shape before Beijing (world championships)."

With three out of the top five times in the category run by El Guerrouj, Kiprop became the third fastest man in the 1500m of all time.

Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria came out the second with a personal best of 3:28.75 after a powerful final 200m sprint, while Morroccan Abdelaati Iguider, Olympic bronze medalist and world indoor champion, was the third on a personal best of 3:28.79.

Troubled British runner Farah, the Olympic and world 5000m and 10,000m champion, was triumped to the fourth in 3:28.93, missing his European record by 0.12 seconds.

"It was good to be in that company. Could not close the gap of Asbel," said Farah, outing for his just second race since the doping scandal involving his coach Alberto Salazar was digged out.

"Coming here I wanted to run hard, not just a race. And it worked. As for the double in Beijing, I will do 10k for sure and then we will see about 5km," he added.

Beijing Olympic silver medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand set an Oceania record of 3:29.66 to finish fifth, with six other runners set personal bests in the 10th stop of the IAAF elite series. Endi