IAAF World Youth Championships: Ethiopian Women dominate 5,000m Race

Alemitu Heroye and Alemitu Hawi of Ethiopia cross the finish line to finish first and second respectively in the women's 5000m during day two of the IAAF World Junior Championships at Hayward Field on July 23, 2014 in Eugene, Oregon. (July 22, 2014 - Source: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America)
Alemitu Heroye and Alemitu Hawi of Ethiopia cross the finish line to finish first and second respectively in the women’s 5000m during day two of the IAAF World Junior Championships at Hayward Field on July 23, 2014 in Eugene, Oregon.
(July 22, 2014 – Source: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America)

Eugene, Oregon – Ethiopia got its first medals at the IAAF World Junior Championships here yesterday after Alemitu Heroye and Alemitu Hawi dominated the women’s 5,000m race, where they took the first two spots.

Heroye,  the world junior cross-country bronze medalist, finished the race in 15:10.08, just two seconds outside the championship record held by fellow Ethiopian, Genzebe Dibaba (2010). Compatriot Hawi ran a personal best time of 15:10.46.

The victory also marks the 7th time that Ethiopia won the gold medal in the event, that was first introduced in 1996.

Agnes Jebet Tiop (Kenya) came in third (16:43.12) followed by Stella Chesang of Uganda and Loice Chemung of Kenya.

Ethiopia, with 1 gold and 1 silver, is in now in fourth place in the medal counts, behind the Czech Republic, Great Britain and The United States.

Meanwhile, Weynshet Ansa and Buzuayehu Mohamed advanced to the final of the women’s 3,000m steeplechase race on Saturday. Ansa won Heat 1 and Mohamed finished second in Heat 2.