ATHLETICS – BAHRAIN’S elite athletes Birhanu Balew and Salwa Eid Naser put in sensational performances last night as they both finished second in their respective events at the Meeting de Paris in France – part of this year’s Wanda Diamond League.
Balew came close to clinching victory in the men’s 5,000 metres while setting a new Asian and Bahraini record in his run, while Naser sprinted to a strong finish and came just four-tenths of a second shy from emerging triumphant in the women’s 400m.
The Wanda Diamond League is the world’s premier one-day meeting series, held annually under World Athletics, track and field’s international governing body.
In Balew’s race, Balew was narrowly beaten to the finish by Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia, who won in his season’s best of 12 minutes 47.84 seconds.
The Bahraini distance-running specialist followed not far behind in 12:48.67 seconds – a new area and national mark. Balew beat the old continental and Bahraini record of 12:51.96, which was set by compatriot Albert Rop in 2013.
Finishing behind Balew was Graham Blanks of the US in 12:49.51, while Jimmy Gressier (12:51.59) of France and Samuel Tefera (12:53.44) of Ethiopia completed the top five.
Eighteen runners participated in the race, including two pacemakers.
Meanwhile, former world champion Naser was pipped at the finish of her event by reigning world and Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, following a tough battle.
The Bahraini star was in the lead as they raced down the home straight, but Paulino managed to power ahead right before the finish to win by a mere four-hundredths of a second.
Her triumphant mark of 48.81s was her season’s best and also a new meeting record. Naser followed in 48.85s, while taking third place was Martina Weil of Chile in 49.83s.
Lynne Irby-Jackson from the US finished fourth in 49.87s, and Amber Anning of Britain came fifth in 49.96s.
Rounding out the race’s classification from fifth through eighth, respectively, were Isabella Whittaker (50.18s) of the US, Lieke Klaver (50.26s) of the Netherlands, and Amandine Brossier (52.10s) of France.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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