Ethiopia’s Samuel, Diribe Victories at World Athletics Indoor Meet

Ethiopia’s Samuel Tefera and Diribe Welteji got their seasons off to a winning start as the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold kicked off in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Saturday.

Samuel made his mark in the 3000m, clocking a world-leading PB of 7:33.80 to lead an Ethiopian 1-2 ahead of Getnet Wale at the Astana Indoor Meet for Amin Tuyakov Prizes.

According to a World Athletics (WA) report, Getnet and Samuel had distanced themselves from the rest of the field early on, closely following the pacemaker.

As the pacemaker dropped out, Getnet, who ran 7:24.98 for 3000m in Lievin in 2021, remained to the fore.

But Samuel clearly felt comfortable and the former world record-holder made a move with around 500m remaining, easing ahead of his compatriot. It was a lead he wouldn’t relinquish and he picked up his pace over the final lap to achieve a clear win in 7:33.80. Getnet was second in 7:34.36.

The world mile champion Diribe Welteji also looked in control as she made her track mile debut, per World Athletics. The 21-year-old clocked 4:20.98 to improve on the inaugural road mile record when winning her world title in Riga in October.

In Astana, she led a breakaway quartet also featuring her Ethiopian compatriots Axumawit Embaye, Gela Hambese and Dahdi Dube behind the pacemaker.

Diribe remained at the front when the pacemaker’s job was done and she ticked off the laps before applying some more pressure.

Dahdi had been dropped by the bell and as Hambese passed Embaye on the final lap, Diribe couldn’t be caught and she won unchallenged in 4:23.76. Gela was second in 4:24.44.

Many athletes are starting their seasons at the indoor Astana meeting as they work towards the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24 and then the Olympic Games in Paris, where athletics will start as the No.1 sport.

– WA