2017 IAAF World ChampionshipsAug 13, 2017 by Taylor Dutch
Hellen Obiri Unleashes Huge Kick Over Almaz Ayana To Win 5K Gold
Hellen Obiri Unleashes Huge Kick Over Almaz Ayana To Win 5K Gold
With a dominant kick that silenced her competitor, Hellen Obiri sprinted her way to gold. The Olympic silver medalist unleashed a 61-second last lap to win the women's 5K over 10K champion Almaz Ayana on Sunday at the IAAF World Championships in London.
With a dominant kick that silenced her competitor, Hellen Obiri sprinted her way to gold. The Olympic silver medalist from Kenya unleashed a 61-second last lap to win the women's 5K over 10K champion Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia on Sunday at the IAAF World Championships in London.
Obiri crossed the finish line for gold in 14:34, Ayana followed for silver in 14:40, and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands claimed bronze in 14:42.
For Obiri, the performance marks her first world outdoor title and her fifth global championship medal. The Kenyan improved on her Olympic silver medal in the 5K last summer.
Ayana's silver medal was earned just days after she dominated the 10K. It was the Ethiopian's first race since last summer when she broke the world record in the distance.
As a 1500-meter runner, Hassan captured the 2016 World Indoor Championship and bronze at the 2015 World Outdoor Championships, but Sunday marked the first time the Dutch athlete earned a global medal in the 5K distance.
The race started as a tactical battle, but quickly shifted into a two-woman showdown between Ayana and Obiri.
From the gun, the race started very slow, but as soon as the pack crossed 400 meters in 82 seconds, Ayana picked it up immediately.
Led by Kalkidan Gezahegne of Bahrain, the pack came through the first kilometer in 3:18.
After the first 1K, Ayana shot back up to the front and Obiri ran right behind her. And just before the 2K mark, Ayana and Obiri pulled away from the rest of the group. Suddenly, it was a two-woman battle.
Only Obiri was willing to go with Ayana as the two came through the 2K mark in 6:07 while the chase pack of Letesenbet Gidey, Margaret Kipkemboi, Sheila Kiprotich, Hassan, and Senberi Teferi followed three seconds behind.
Ayana and Obiri continued to pull away from the group and click off 67-68-second laps. By the time they reached the 3K mark, the duo ran 8:58 despite starting with a slow 82-second first 400m. Obiri was not going to let Ayana get away.
With 300 meters remaining, Obiri unleashed a massive kick on the backstretch of the last lap. Her sudden surge was reminiscent of the same speed that earned her a bronze medal in the 1500m in 2013. After leading for the majority of the race, Ayana was unable to respond to the move.
With every step, Obiri put more distance between herself and Ayana. As she crossed the finish line, she jumped up and down in elation knowing that she fought her way to a world title.
For the USA, American record-holder Shannon Rowbury crossed the line first with a ninth-place finish. Molly Huddle followed for 12th place and Shelby Houlihan closed for 13th.
Obiri crossed the finish line for gold in 14:34, Ayana followed for silver in 14:40, and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands claimed bronze in 14:42.
For Obiri, the performance marks her first world outdoor title and her fifth global championship medal. The Kenyan improved on her Olympic silver medal in the 5K last summer.
Ayana's silver medal was earned just days after she dominated the 10K. It was the Ethiopian's first race since last summer when she broke the world record in the distance.
As a 1500-meter runner, Hassan captured the 2016 World Indoor Championship and bronze at the 2015 World Outdoor Championships, but Sunday marked the first time the Dutch athlete earned a global medal in the 5K distance.
WORLD CHAMPION!!! pic.twitter.com/WuGPEqxoBz
— Hellen Obiri (@hellen_obiri) August 13, 2017
The race started as a tactical battle, but quickly shifted into a two-woman showdown between Ayana and Obiri.
From the gun, the race started very slow, but as soon as the pack crossed 400 meters in 82 seconds, Ayana picked it up immediately.
Led by Kalkidan Gezahegne of Bahrain, the pack came through the first kilometer in 3:18.
After the first 1K, Ayana shot back up to the front and Obiri ran right behind her. And just before the 2K mark, Ayana and Obiri pulled away from the rest of the group. Suddenly, it was a two-woman battle.
Only Obiri was willing to go with Ayana as the two came through the 2K mark in 6:07 while the chase pack of Letesenbet Gidey, Margaret Kipkemboi, Sheila Kiprotich, Hassan, and Senberi Teferi followed three seconds behind.
Ayana and Obiri continued to pull away from the group and click off 67-68-second laps. By the time they reached the 3K mark, the duo ran 8:58 despite starting with a slow 82-second first 400m. Obiri was not going to let Ayana get away.
With 300 meters remaining, Obiri unleashed a massive kick on the backstretch of the last lap. Her sudden surge was reminiscent of the same speed that earned her a bronze medal in the 1500m in 2013. After leading for the majority of the race, Ayana was unable to respond to the move.
With every step, Obiri put more distance between herself and Ayana. As she crossed the finish line, she jumped up and down in elation knowing that she fought her way to a world title.
For the USA, American record-holder Shannon Rowbury crossed the line first with a ninth-place finish. Molly Huddle followed for 12th place and Shelby Houlihan closed for 13th.