IAAF World Youth Championships: Teshome Dirirsa wins gold in 1,500m
Lille, France –Teshome Dirirsa of Ethiopia won the country’s first ever gold in the 1,500m race at the IAAF World Youth Championships here yesterday.
Dirirsa sat behind runner-up Vincent Mutai of Kenya, who led for the most part of the race, and overtook him in the last 20m to win in a personal best time of 3:39.13.
With his victory, Dirirsa, spoiled more Kenyan celebrations after their marvelous tally of three gold medals collected here over the five days of action.
Mutai came in second 0.04 seconds behind followed by his Kenyan counterpart Jonathan Kiplimo Saw (3:39.54) and Fayidu Murad of Ethiopia (3:40.60).
The United States finished first in the medal tally with 16, followed by Kenya with 14. Ethiopia finished 6th with 5.
Ethiopia’s medal winners
Gold (2)
1. Gotytom Gebreselassie – Women’s 3,000m
2. Teshome Dirirsa – Men’s 1500m
Silver (2)
1. Senbere Teferri – Women’s 1,500m
2. Mohammed Aman – Men’s 800m
Bronze (1)
Genet Tibieso – Women’s 1,500m
Watch Teshome’s victory on YouTube:
