Diamond League: Ethiopians dominate 5000m, Kenenisa beaten by Tariku

Oslo, Norway – Three Ethiopian athletes broke 13 minutes in the 5000m, while reigning Olympic 5000 and 10,000m champion Kenenisa Bekele, who is battling to rediscover his world-beating form after injury, was beaten for the first time by his younger brother Tariku.

World bronze medalist Dejene Gebremeskel led at the bell, but was surrounded by several of his team-mates. 18-year-old Hagos Gebrhiwet, winner of the 5000m at the Shanghai Diamond League, gave chase to the leader, but Gebremeskel held on for victory in 12:58.92, just 0.07 ahead of his younger compatriot. Imane Merga, overall Diamond League winner for the past two years, also dipped under 13 minutes in third (12:59.77).

Kenenisa Bekele, sat back in the field of the 5,000m until the bell rang for the last lap. But he had left himself far too much to do, finishing fifth, with compatriot Dejen Gebremeskel taking the honours in 12:58.92, with 10 Ethiopians in the first 12.

Women’s 3,000m steeplechase

One of the highest-quality events of the night was the women’s steeplechase, where – for the first time ever outside a major championship – three women dipped under 9:10. Kenya’s Milcah Chemos opened up a gap on her pursuers on the final lap, kicking away to win with an African record of 9:07.14. Ethiopia’s Sofia Assefa smashed her own national record in second with 9:09.00, followed closely by team-mate Hiwot Ayalew.

One week after making a huge breakthrough in Rome with an Ethiopian record, Abeba Aregawi once again defeated team-mate Genzebe Dibaba in the women’s 1500m. The pace in Oslo wasn’t as fast as it was in the Italian capital, but Aregawi showed that she is capable of winning off a slower pace too, kicking away to win in 4:02.42.

Dibaba, the world indoor champion, was behind in 4:03.28.