ATHLETICS – BAHRAIN’S reigning Olympic champion and former world champion Winfred Yavi set a new national record in the women’s 5,000 metres last night at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea in Rome, Italy.
The high-profile meeting was part of this year’s Diamond League – international track and field’s premier annual circuit featuring one-day events held around the world.
After leading the star-studded field for much of the race, Yavi fell behind at the bell but dug deep for an impressive finish in 14 minutes 30.06 seconds.
Her mark was the new all-time best for Bahrain and it shattered the previous fastest by more than 10 seconds. Yavi also held the old national record of 14:41.99, which she clocked in 2024 in a meeting in Liege, Belgium.
Taking the victory last night and spearheading seven Ethiopian athletes on the final classification – all ahead of Yavi – was Likina Amebaw, who won in a world lead of 14:18.41. Aleshign Baweke followed as runner-up in 14:18.54, while Freweyni Hailu took third in 14:18.94.
Yavi charged to the front in yesterday’s 22-athlete race after the opening two laps, placing herself right ahead of Italian Nadia Battocletti and Ethiopians Medina Eisa and Senayet Getachew.
She maintained her strong stride through the middle part of the run but the pack caught up heading into the last go-around. They then overtook Yavi at the bell and powered to an ultra-quick finish, with the 26-year-old Bahraini putting up a valiant effort until the end en route to setting her new Bahraini record.
Yavi made only her second appearance on track this international athletics season. She previously ran the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, her primary discipline, at another Diamond League meeting last month in Xiamen, China, where she finished in second place.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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