Ayana trumps Dibaba for 5000m crown

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, with Senbere Teferi, in 14:44.07, pipping Dibaba by 0.07sec on the line for an Ethiopian clean sweep of the podium places.

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.

Dibaba was also out to emulate elder sister and the event's world record holder Tirunesh, who dominated the 5,000-10,000m when she competed.

Genzebe Dibaba, whose world record in the 1,500m in Lausanne last month was the fourth she currently holds, looked comfortable for the first half of the race.

Japanese pair Misaki Onishi and Ayuko Suzuki raced out to an early lead, tracked by Dibaba in the 12-and-a-half lap race.

The chase group comprised Dibaba and countrywomen Ayana and Teferi, Kenyan quartet Viola Kibiwot, Mercy Cherono, Irene Cheptai and Janet Kisa, and Ethiopian-born Bahraini Mimi Belete.

With seven laps to go, the Japanese were dropped, an Ayana surge stringing the 15-woman field out, with Dibaba and Cherono following.

Some 800 metres later and the Ethiopian duo found themselves out by themselves in cool conditions after torrential rain in the Chinese capital.

Ayana, who was only competing the 5,000m, kicked again and built up a 50-metre lead on Dibaba, the former's eyes glued on the big screen to see exactly where her compatriot was.

Ayana hit the bell for the last lap even further ahead and maintained that for a comprehensive victory.

Dibaba's woes were compounded when a fast-finishing Teferi snatched silver at the line.
Source: AFP