Imperious Bekele powers to 10,000m treble

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 27 (Reuters) Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele powered to his third 10,000 metres world title in a row with a pulsating victory today.

Bekele blew past countryman Sileshi Sihine coming around the final bend and accelerated clear, crossing himself as he hit the finish line in 27 minutes 5.90 seconds.

The Olympic champion had time to blow kisses to the crowd before turning around to see perennial bridesmaid Sihine come home to take silver again in 27:09.03.

Kenya's Martin Irungu Mathathi took bronze in 27:12.17.

''I was very confident I would be the strongest,'' Bekele told reporters after moving to within one world championship gold of Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie.

''The next goal is next year's Beijing Olympics. Between now and then maybe I will break some world records.'' Ethiopians have won seven of the last eight world championship gold medals in the event.

Gebrselassie won four world titles between 1993 and 1999, in addition to the 1996 and 2000 Olympic gold medals.

Reuters BJR GC2108