Favourites generally dominate, but Legesse shocks Mekonnen in 1500m - Ethiopian Champs, Day V

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Favourites Gelete Burka (women’s 1500m), Genzebe Dibaba (women’s 5000m), Ali Abdosh (men’s 5000m), and Roba Gari (men’s 3000m Steeplechase) dominated their events in the fifth and final day of the 38th Ethiopian Athletics Championships (29 April- 3 May 2009).

In the biggest surprise of the day, youngster Henok Legesse beat World Indoor champion Derese Mekonnen in an exciting 1500m final.

Sole run for Abdosh in record chase

African 5000m bronze medallist Ali Abdosh had set his eyes on Kenenisa Bekele’s 5000m Addis Ababa stadium record time of 13:34.01 before the start of the race and was on schedule to break it until four laps to go.

By that point Abdosh was more than 50m clear of his next challenger Dino Sefer but he tired and settled for victory in 13:42.56, eight seconds off Bekele’s time, which was incidentally set in May 2004, four weeks before Bekele set the World 5000m record time of 12:37.35 in Hengelo, the Netherlands.

“Yes the record was always in my mind,” said Abdosh after the race “I knew that I was in great shape from my training, but I got a bit tired with three laps left. I wanted to move to the marathon this year and even started training for the event. But I want to give the 5000m a try this year and qualify for the World championships in Berlin.”

Dibaba over Utura in 5000m

While the 1500m was largely a one-woman show, the women’s 5000m kept the crowd at the Addis Ababa stadium at the edge of their seats for much of the twelve-and-half-lap contest. For many, it was the perhaps the first chance to see two-time World Junior Cross Country champion Genzebe Dibaba, the younger sister of Tirunesh Dibaba, for the first time in a track competition.

And the 18-year-old did not disappoint her new legion of followers with a display taken from the Dibaba family finishing text book.

Much like her elder sister Tirunesh, Genzebe run behind the leaders until the final lap when she first drew level with long-time leader Sule Utura and then overtook her 200m from the finish to take an impressive victory.

It was the first national track title for Genzebe and an early indication of an exciting summer of possibilities for the Muger Cement sports club athlete.

Gun-to-tape victory for Burka

The women’s 1500m set the scene for an action-packed final day at the Addis Ababa stadium pitting All-African Games and African 1500m champion Gelete Burka with fellow Olympian Meskerem Assefa, who took the Addis Ababa Municipal title three weeks ago and looked comfortable in the qualifiers.

But the race between the two leading 1500m runners never materialised as Burka stamped her authority on the race from the onset, breaking away from her challengers in the final for a third national 1500m title. Her winning time of 4:11.23 was no where near her championship record time of 4:08.27, but her confident front-running surely indicates exciting times ahead for the 22-year-old.

Assefa also looked comfortable in securing second place ahead of East African youth champion Shito Wincha.

Legesse surprises Mekonnen for 800m/1500m double

Like Burka in the men’s event, World Indoor champion Derese Mekonnen had seemed to have planned the perfect tactics for his title defence. He led the field through the first lap, pulled back a little to conserve energy for the finish in the second, and looked on course for victory when he powered ahead at the bell.

But youngster Henok Legesse cut Mekonnen’s celebrations short when he came from fourth at the bell to overtake him 100m from the finish for victory in 3:41.11. The victory completed an impressive 800m/1500m double for Legesse, who was fifth in the African Championships last year over the 800m.

“I knew Derese would run like that and I wanted to surprise him,” confirmed the race winner. “There are a lot of talented middle distance runners in Ethiopia, but we are not given enough attention. My dream is to qualify for Berlin. I want people to take notice.”

Experienced Gari triumphs over Lemiso

The absence of defending champion Nahom Mesfin due to injury and national record holder Yacob Jarso, who did not return from his training base in Japan, may have dealt organizers a blow before the men’s 3000m Steeplechase. However, Roba Gari, the other Ethiopian who took part in the Beijing Olympics, made sure that they were not missed with a gun-to-tape victory.

Gari was always in control of the race, but a surprise looked on the cards when Legese Lamiso the World Youth 2000m steeplechase champion moved ahead of the 27-year old at the bell. But Gari drew level at 150m from the finish and powered home for victory.

Aynalem thrashes championship walk record

In the day’s other highlight, African junior champion Bekashigne Aynalem smashed the championship record in the women’s 20km walk and beat African senior silver medallist Asnakech Ararsa to win the title in 1:42:60. Cherenet Mikore, fourth in the African championships, took a one-second victory from Mulugeta Tesfaye in the men’s event.

Elshadai Negash for the IAAF