(AP) ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian women swept the 10,000-metre race on Saturday at the African Athletics Championships in a repeat of the men’s team success.
Tirunesh Dibaba edged out her older sister Ejegayehu Dibaba by one second to finish in 32 minutes, 49 seconds. Ayalew Wude of Ethiopia was third, five seconds behind the winner.
”We are very proud,” Ejegayehu Dibaba said. ”I’m happy to get the silver medal while my sister gets gold.”
On Wednesday, Gebregziabher Gebremariam, Ibrahim Jeylan and Eshetu Wondimu took gold, silver and bronze for Ethiopia in the men’s race.
Angeline Nyiransabimana of Rwanda initially led the three Ethiopian runners and Lucy Kabuu of Kenya in a five-strong group. But after leading for half of the race, Nyiransabimana unexpectedly walked off the track. Kabuu fell behind with about a third of the race left and the three Ethiopian runners stayed in a tight pack through the finish line.
Tirunesh Dibaba was one of the few top Ethiopian runners to participate in the five-day championships, after men’s 10,000-meter Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele dropped out, citing insufficient training time. Marathoner Haile Gebrselassie did not enter the championships.
Dibaba’s rival, Meseret Defar, took silver in Friday’s 5,000-meter race after being upset by Meselech Melkamu.
The championships feature more than 800 competitors from 41 African nations. Ethiopia, with 140 athletes, has the most participants.
South Africa led the medal count Saturday evening with 17 medals including nine golds.