Bahrain's Rose Chelimo celebrates after finishing in gold medal position in the Women's Marathon during the World Athletics Championships Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
LONDON: Bahrain’s Rose Chelimo sprinted away from Kenya’s Edna Kiplagat to win the women’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships after a tactical battle and exciting finish yesterday.
Chelimo, who had looked beaten, fought back over the last few hundred metres approaching the Tower Bridge finish after Kiplagat struck for home too soon with two kilometres left on way to giving Bahrain its first medal in this year’s edition of the competition.
Forging away to victory, the 28-year-old denied Kiplagat what would have been an unprecedented third world marathon gold. Chelimo finished strongly in 2 hours 27 minutes 11 seconds, seven seconds clear of Kiplagat.
American Amy Cragg made a tremendous final burst to overhaul another Kenyan Flomena Daniel, who had looked set for the bronze medal. Cragg also closed in swiftly on the tiring 37-year-old Kiplagat but had to settle for third place in the same time of 2:27:18.
Chelimo had enough energy to wave to the crowd as she approached the line and took the Bahraini flag offered by her team officials.
“I am feeling good and am happy to be the winner. This is one of the best days in my life and, hopefully, there are more to come,” Chelimo said.
This was only Chelimo’s fourth marathon. Having won on her debut in Seoul, she finished eighth at the Rio Olympics before her runner-up spot behind Kiplagat in Boston in April.
Another Bahrain hopeful, Eunice Kirwa, settled for an impressive sixth-place finish in the event after clocking 2:28:17.
Respectable
Likewise, in yesterday’s men’s marathon, Bahrainis Shumi Dechasa and Hassan Chani had respectable results.
Dechasa clocked his season’s best of two hours 15 minutes and 08 seconds, while Chani had a mark of 2:22:19 in 50th overall.
Chelimo’s victory stopped Kenya celebrating a marathon double alongside men’s champion Geoffrey Kipkorir Kirui on the first occasion both races had been held on the same day.
Kirui also came from behind to win gold medal. He earned Kenya a record fifth men’s marathon title in the morning by beating Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia in a seesaw race.
Kirui had to come from behind to pass Tola in the final quarter of the race. And once he got through the winding streets of London, Kirui found the way clear for a victorious run over the last miles.
Kirui won in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 27 seconds, creating such a gap over Tola that he had time to slap the outstretched hands of fans in the finishing straight before crossing the line. Tola weakened at the end and just held off bronze medalist Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania.
Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the West Asia Athletics Federation and President of the Bahrain Athletics Association, sent his congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, and
Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, on the occasion of Chelimo’s win.
Shaikh Khalid hailed Chelimo’s win that cemented Bahrain’s position among the world’s powerhouses in this sport.
Results of Women's Marathon:
1. Rose Chelimo (Bahrain) 2:27:11
2. Edna Kiplagat (Kenya) 2:27:18
3. Amy Cragg (U.S.) 2:27:18
4. Filomena Cheyech (Kenya) 2:27:21
5. Shure Demise (Ethiopia) 2:27:58
6. Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa (Bahrain) 2:28:17
7. Helah Kiprop (Kenya) 2:28:19
8. Mare Dibaba (Ethiopia) 2:28:49
9. Jessica Trengove (Australia) 2:28:59
10. Berhane Dibaba (Ethiopia) 2:29:01