Kimeli holds nerve to claim hard-fought 5,000m victory

Chief athletics writer at Nyayo

Kenya’s Nicholas Kimeli claimed a hard fought victory in the men’s 5,000m with a strong finish in the last 200m to fend off a strong challenge from Ethiopia’s Teklehaimanot.

Kimeli  clocked 13:08.32 as Berihu followed closely in13:08.91 while Africa junior champion Jacob Krop settled for the third spot in 13:11.88

The race was a contest between the trio with Kimeli and Berihu breaking away from Krop heading to the final lap.

“It was a perfect race for me because I am looking forward to Tokyo Olympics which is my main target. I want to assure Kenyans that I am going to fight hard to bring back the gold medal that has eluded us for long,” said Kimeli.

Elsewhere, in the women’s 200m Britain’s Kristal Awuah reigned supreme in 23.05 ahead of Hemida Bassant of Egypt (23.13) and Rodah Njobvu of Zambia (23.18) who finished second and third respectively.

Betarice Masilingi shocked national champion Mary Moraa to win the women’s 400m in 50.99 as Moraa came home second in 51.99 while Leni Shida of Uganda clocked 52.77 to finish third.

In the corresponding men’s race, Kenya’s Jared Momanyi crossed the finish line first in 46.12 with Emmanuel Ojeli of Nigeria finishing second in 46.49 as another Kenyan Ryan William placed third in 46.66