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Kenya’s Hellen Obiri celebrates after winning the 5,000m gold medal at the 21st African Athletics Championships in Asaba on August 2, 2018. PHOTO | ELIAS MAKORI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Gold at last! Obiri obliterates 5000m field in Asaba
Hellen Obiri obliterated the women’s 5,000m field to win the gold medal in the 21st edition of the African Athletics Championships at Asaba’s Stephen Keshi Stadium on Thursday.
Ethiopia’s Seberie Teferi settled for silver with compatriot Meskerem Mamo aking bronze.
Obiri’s gold was Kenya’s first medal at the championships which started on Wednesday with the men’s 10,000m final where Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer kicked with 300 metres to go and opened up a 50-metre gap from his compatriot, silver medallist Andumalak Belihu of Sidama Buna Athletics Club in Ethiopia’s southern region, to win in 29 minutes, 08.01 seconds.
Uganda’s Timothy Toroitich (29:11.87) took bronze as Kenya’s Vincent Rono (29:14.52) was fourth after pulling a muscle in the sprint finish. Other Kenyans Kipsang Temoi (29:29.54) finished fifth with Josephat Bett struggling at seventh in 30:13.22.
More to follow…