Mare Dibaba’s sprint in the final 50 metres proved to be the difference as she won by a second. PHOTO: AFP
Dibaba timed 2hr 27min 35sec to edge Kenya’s Helah Kiprop by just one second after a sprint in the final 50 metres of the race held in overcast, relatively cool conditions.
Kenyan-born Bahraini Eunice Kirwa claimed bronze in 2hr 27min 39sec.
“I was confident because my last lap is fast,” said Dibaba. “It all came down to a sprint in the stadium. Since I arrived in Beijing the weather was very hot and I was scared about that for the marathon, but this morning the weather changed.”
Ethopa clean sweep podium in 5,000m
Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana trumped double world title-hunting teammate Genzebe Dibaba for victory in the women’s 5,000m on Sunday.
Ayana clocked a championship record of 14min 26.83sec pipping Dibaba by 0.07sec on the line for an Ethiopian clean sweep of the podium places with Senbere Teferi finishing in 14min 44.07sec.
Dibaba had already won the 1,500m, but Ayana’s pace over the last five laps proved too rapid in her quest for a double.
Don’t write me off again, says Bolt
Usain Bolt has warned that people will write him off again at their own peril after the imperious Jamaican sealed another world treble gold despite an injury-hit season.
“This is even better, just to prove everyone wrong,” said Bolt of his treble in Beijing. “It’s always a good way to end a championships like that. It’s pretty much one of my best [results] because of what I’ve been through this season, the doubts that people have had, just everything.”
Had to dig deep for ‘triple double’: Farah
The irrepressible Mo Farah broke Kenyan Caleb Ndiku’s brave resistance with an electrifying burst in the home straight to win in 13 minutes, 50.38 seconds.
It was an astonishing seventh successive victory in the 5,000m or 10,000m at a world championships or Olympics for the Briton to complete the ‘triple double’.
“Tonight I had to dig deep, it came down to the last 100 metres,” said the Somali-born 32-year-old. “I felt a bit tired going through the rounds and coming back again. It takes a lot of energy to win that way. I never panicked. You have to believe in yourself and it felt amazing, incredible, to do the double.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2015.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ