WXC: Kibathi saves Kenya’s face as Ethiopia outcla*s women’s U20 team
Samuel Kibathi emerged as the winner in the men's U20 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade as the women's side was outclassed by Ethiopia.
Kibathi produced a well-timed finish to win gold just minutes after their women counterparts were stunned with Ethiopia sweeping the podium finish.
Meanwhile, Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto and Charles Rotich took an early lead, followed by his teammates Shadrack Rono Kipkemei and Johana Erot.
The Kenyans had to fight stiff competition from Ethiopia’s Sewmehon Anteneh, who made his way to the front of the pack on the second lap. Ugandans were not left behind as Simba Samuel Cherop, Sailas Rotich and Dolphine Chelimo fought hard.
The second lap ended in a 1.9km lap and was covered in 5:26 at at that time, Erot fellow Kenyans Kipkemei and Rotich with about 12 runners still in contention in the lead pack.
Within a few minutes, the group had been strung out into a single file as Ethiopia’s Mezgebu Sime attempted to join Kipkemei at the front. Kipkemei, Anteneh and Samuel Kibathi led the pack going into the last lap, but nine men were still in with a shout, according to statistics from World Athletics.
Final lap
On the final lap, Kipruto jumped ahead in an attempt to gain a slight edge while the majority of the pack opted to weave in and out of them.
Sime edged into the lead in the final stage but Kibathi kept fighting and with the finish line in sight, the Kenyan kicked hard and managed to hold off the challenge of his Ethiopian rival before he crossed the line in 22:40.
Kibathi's Ethiopian rival finished just one second behind to take silver in 22:41, while Kipruto claimed bronze in 22:46.
Kenya managed to retain the title with six men in the top six and Ethiopia, with four finishers in the top eight, took team silver.
Uganda claimed bronze.
Meanwhile, Kenyan girls faltered as Ethiopians claimed gold in the women's category.
Marta Alemayo took gold, Asayech Ayichew finished second and Robe Dida completed the podium.
Chebet and Diana Cherotich finished fourth and fifth respectively as they clocked 19:45 and 19:47.
