Genzebe Dibaba wins in Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe, Germany – Genzebe Dibaba, younger sister of Tirunesh and Ejigayehu Dibaba, won the women’s 1,500m here in 4:00.13, a world leader time and the fastest 1,500m since the 2008 World Indoor Championships.

It put the Ethiopian in the number-five spot in indoor athletics’ history. As the final pacer departed, Dibaba had a 7-metre advantage over Helen Obiri with three laps left. Over the remaining 600 metres she stretched out her lead and barely missed a sub-four performance.

Obiri held on for second (4:06.25) as Poland’s Angelika Cichocka closed fast to take third in a PB 4:07.83.

Men’s 1,500m

The final season-leading performance came from Bethwel Birgen’s 3:34.65 in the men’s 1500m as the Kenyan ran from the front the entire way and held off Turkey’s Ilham Tanui Özbilen (the former William Tanui Biwott of Kenya), who strengthened his position atop the European season list with a second-place 3:34.76.

“I was happy that I could repeat my win here from last year,” said Birgen.  “My next big goal is in Istanbul where I hope to win a medal.”

Gebremehdin Mekonnen of Ethiopia had started a sudden move in the direction of the front-runners with 300 left, but he became blocked by the late-leaving pacer (Ismael Kombich) and his tempo was noticeably interrupted.  Mekonnen was unable to recover but still held on for third with 3:36.05 ahead of Collins Cheboi (3:36.43).

Results:

1,500m (Women):

1. Genzebe Dibaba (Ethiopia) 4:00.13 (WL,MR)

2. Hellen Obiri (Kenya) 4:06.25

3. Angelika Cichocka (Poland) 4:07.83 (PB)

3,000m (Women):

1. Mariem Alaloui Selsouli (Morocco) 8:36.87 (MR)

2. Sylvia Chibiwott (Kenya) 8:43.54

3. Meselech Melkamu (Ethiopia) 8:43.93

4. Mekdes Bekele (Ethiopia) 8:49.50

5. Birtukan Adamu (Ethiopia) 8:58.73 (PB)

1,500m (Men):

3. Gebremedhin Mekonnen (Ethiopia) 3:36.05

3,000m (Men):

3. Yenew Alamerew (Ethiopia) 7:.31.23

6. Yetatal Atnafu (Ethiopia) 7:39.78

7. Aberra Kuma (Ethiopia ) 7:39.80