Ethiopia’s Gudaf Grabs 5,000m Gold at World Athletics Championships

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay won gold medal in the 5000m on the penultimate day of the 2022 World Athletics Championships.

The world indoor 1500m record-holder returned to the track five days after claiming 1500m silver.

Gudaf had to hold off challenges from Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet and Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan to win Ethiopia’s fourth gold medal of the tournament, clocking 14:46.29.

“I am happy with this result,” Gudaf said. “This win is for all of Ethiopia.”

Chebet finished second in 14:46.75, ahead of Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum who got bronze in 14:47.36.

The two medals further cement Ethiopia’s second position in the medal table at the world championship in Oregon.

The world’s 10,000m champion, Letesenbet Gidey, finished fifth in 14:47.98 ahead of the Olympic champion Sifan in 14:48.12.

Sifan tried her best to win. She gave it a good run as Gudaf somehow let her make an inside pass with roughly 250 to go and led until just before the final 100m.

Gudaf, however, surged down the final stretch to win her first global outdoor title.

“The hard times were at the Olympics in Tokyo because I was injured there,” said Gudaf. “Not today.”

With the last lap of 59.95, the 25-year-old pulled away from Chebet and Dawit down the home straight, executing her plan.

“I have been training well for 1500m and this helps sprint on the home stretch,” added Gudaf. “I know that Sifan is a top athlete and she is also a 1500m runner, so she has the speed. When she came in front, I sped up even more and won the medal.”

EM/Agencies

Featured Image Caption: Gudaf wins the 5000m at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon. [Photo Getty Images via World Athletics]