2016 IAAF World Indoor ChampionshipsMar 20, 2016 by Meg Bellino
Ajee Wilson Silver in Women's 800m, But Watch Out for Francine Niyonsaba
Ajee Wilson Silver in Women's 800m, But Watch Out for Francine Niyonsaba
PORTLAND — Ajee Wilson earned the silver medal in the women’s 800m at the 2016 World Indoor Championships. A World Youth and World Junior Champion, this is
PORTLAND — Ajee Wilson earned the silver medal in the women’s 800m at the 2016 World Indoor Championships. A World Youth and World Junior Champion, this is the 21-year-old’s first global medal at the senior championships.
Wilson led for the first 200m before being overcome by Kenya’s Margaret Wambui and Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba. She said she planned on trailing Wambui and finishing with a kick, but wasn't expecting Niyonsaba.
“I took it out, kind of let it get away from me,” Wilson told the crowd in the Oregon Convention Center. “I’m still happy to get a medal.”
Wilson was able to overcome Wambui over the final 150m to grab silver in 2:00.27. Wambui ran 2:00.44 for bronze. Both Wilson (2012) and Wambui (2014) are the first ever World Junior champions to win medals at World Indoors. Though she may have been the favorite on paper, Wilson was the most consistent indoor 800m racer in the world this year, recording four 2:00 efforts, which should set her up nicely for the outdoor season.
Niyonsaba, who recently moved to Eugene to train under Oregon Track Club Elite coach Mark Rowland, grabbed the lead with 300m to go and never looked back. She finished in 2:00.01, the fastest time in the world for 2016 and new Burundi National record. Miraculously, this was her first race EVER on an indoor track. Niyonsaba told FloTrack that Rowland told her to stay on Wilson, who she knew was a great runner.
For those of you who don't know anything about Niyonsaba, you're not a horrible track fan. She's been off the circuit for quite some time. The Burundi native finished sixth in the 2012 Olympic final (1:59.63) at just 19 years of age. She then recorded her personal best, a blistering 1:56.59 and the third-fastest mark by a junior all-time, in Brussels one month later. She won three Diamond League races in 2013, including the Prefontaine Classic, before an injury and lack of training partners kept her from competing.
She moved to Eugene in January and has been training with Rowland and getting some help from OTC members. To come away with a win against Wilson in her FIRST EVER indoor race is impressive. Keep an eye out for Niyonsaba this outdoor season.
American Laura Roesler settled for fourth in 2:00.88, despite an outstanding effort over the final 100m.
"I know fourth is like, that spot no one wants to be," Roesler told FloTrack. "But I really can't say I'm on the verge of tears or disappointed. After the year I had last year, making this final, like all my dreams have come true."
Roesler missed all of last year to injury and said that she watched the outdoor World championships on television last year. To finish right outside of a medal position is an incredible feat for the 2014 Bowerman Award winner, and she said she will walk away from this experience with her head held high.
Wilson led for the first 200m before being overcome by Kenya’s Margaret Wambui and Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba. She said she planned on trailing Wambui and finishing with a kick, but wasn't expecting Niyonsaba.
“I took it out, kind of let it get away from me,” Wilson told the crowd in the Oregon Convention Center. “I’m still happy to get a medal.”
Wilson was able to overcome Wambui over the final 150m to grab silver in 2:00.27. Wambui ran 2:00.44 for bronze. Both Wilson (2012) and Wambui (2014) are the first ever World Junior champions to win medals at World Indoors. Though she may have been the favorite on paper, Wilson was the most consistent indoor 800m racer in the world this year, recording four 2:00 efforts, which should set her up nicely for the outdoor season.
Niyonsaba, who recently moved to Eugene to train under Oregon Track Club Elite coach Mark Rowland, grabbed the lead with 300m to go and never looked back. She finished in 2:00.01, the fastest time in the world for 2016 and new Burundi National record. Miraculously, this was her first race EVER on an indoor track. Niyonsaba told FloTrack that Rowland told her to stay on Wilson, who she knew was a great runner.
For those of you who don't know anything about Niyonsaba, you're not a horrible track fan. She's been off the circuit for quite some time. The Burundi native finished sixth in the 2012 Olympic final (1:59.63) at just 19 years of age. She then recorded her personal best, a blistering 1:56.59 and the third-fastest mark by a junior all-time, in Brussels one month later. She won three Diamond League races in 2013, including the Prefontaine Classic, before an injury and lack of training partners kept her from competing.
She moved to Eugene in January and has been training with Rowland and getting some help from OTC members. To come away with a win against Wilson in her FIRST EVER indoor race is impressive. Keep an eye out for Niyonsaba this outdoor season.
American Laura Roesler settled for fourth in 2:00.88, despite an outstanding effort over the final 100m.
"I know fourth is like, that spot no one wants to be," Roesler told FloTrack. "But I really can't say I'm on the verge of tears or disappointed. After the year I had last year, making this final, like all my dreams have come true."
Roesler missed all of last year to injury and said that she watched the outdoor World championships on television last year. To finish right outside of a medal position is an incredible feat for the 2014 Bowerman Award winner, and she said she will walk away from this experience with her head held high.