37th world cross country in Edinburgh ends with the greatest Ethiopian achievement, Kenenisa, Terunesh, Genzebe, Ibrahim win

The 36th World cross country athletics championship in Edinburgh Scotland turned out to be an all Ethiopian affair despite the presence of thousands from seventeen nations all over the world. Out of twelve individual medals the heroic Ethiopian squad collected seven leaving only five for the rest of the world to scramble for.
King of world-cross country Kenenisa once again showed the world what an undisputed champion he is, overcoming three difficulties; missing his connection flight that stranded him for a full day at Heathrow, an overnight stomach upset and a dislodged shoe in mid race before gobbling up his adversaries. It was the best ever performance second only to the former two time world best athlete Kenenisa only to his hard to believe act in 2004 Athens Olympic 10000 meter race waiting for mentor Hailer G/Selassie at the back despite a Kenyan athlete was in front. While the world was flabbergasted watching Kenenisa left behind kneeled down to secure his dislodged shoes, the Olympic gold medalist as cool as ice, finished the job at hand got up, crossed himself and went back to business that is catching up the flock spear headed by defending champion Eritrean Zeresenay Tadesse and Kenyan Leonard Patrik Komon. Surprisingly it took him sheer determination yet little effort to work up his way back up to the field then join the leading pack. The two Kenyans Komon and Ebuya in witness Zeresenay tried to throw several bursts that ultimately tired him to throw away even second place.
Four kilometers from the finish line the front four were by themselves the two Kenyan pair side by side behind him, Kenenisa stayed a bit longer at the back before seizing his moment and the rest is history. “This is special for me although I am proud of my previous achievements” said Kenenisa after a clear win. Patrick Komon of Kenya came second followed by Zeresenay Tadesse who told reporters that he is happy to win a bronze medal for his country. The day’s victory that also earned Kenenisa USD 30000 took his record number of individual world cross country titles to 12 (6 long, 5short course 1 junior). Five World cross country double and one single gold, Kenenisa is now in history book as all time great World cross country champion.
Olympic and world champion Trunesh Dibaba also joined the history books winning her third World cross country gold medal in Senior Women’s 8 KM race. Back from long rest due to injury Trunesh reclaimed her title in a thrilling way unfurling her trade mark finishing kick at the final 400 meters. It took a few minutes before the 22 year old leapt from fourth to take the lead all the way followed by her compatriot Mestwat Tufa who reached home five seconds later. Kenyan Lenet Masay finished third in 25:18. Inspired by younger sister Genzebe Dibaba’s astonishing victory in Women’s Junior, the elder Dibaba showed a mesmerizing come back to win the day at the same time sharing the record of her cousin two time Olympic gold medalist Derartu Tulu and USA Lynn Lennings who won the long distance in three occasions. She is also a joint record holder with Grete Waitz of Norway in winning World cross country championships five individual gold. All in all Dibaba has now won 14 World Cross Country gold together.
At seventeen the youngest of the three Dibaba’s, Genzebe not only has championship blood in her veins but also emulating the killer smile of her immediate elder Trunesh. The teenager came out of the shadow at Edinburgh after lurking behind the pack for most of the distance then pouncing in front at the final stage then never to look back until crossing the finishing line in 19:59. Kenyan Irene Cheptai tried to catch up to Genzebe but failed for the teenager has already geared up to the limit. Cheptai finished second five seconds later with 18 year old Ethiopian Emebet Etea claiming the bronze. Here comes the third Dibaba to world athletics stardom following in the footstep of her elder sisters Tirunesh and Ejegayehu.
In the Men’s junior 8KM showdown the same surprise story unfurled when 18 year old Ibrahim Jelan muscled out the three year old Kenyan dominancy in the distance. After three consecutive domestic titles Jelan’s dream of winning an international title came true when he stayed behind Ugandan Benjamin Kiplagat and Kenyan Mathew Kipkoech for most of the race then gearing up strong to out run his adversaries. The duo who tried to catch up with him later got out of steam to finally surrender even second place to Jelan;’s compatriot Ayele Abshero. The bronze went to Kenyan Kipkoech.
In addition to the four gold, two silver and one bronze the Ethiopian squad won two group gold medals in Men’s junior and Women’s senior events.