Bahrain’s Kalkidan Gezahegne qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s elite distance runner Kalkidan Gezahegne secured her qualification for this summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games on Saturday, after taking the women’s 10,000 metres silver medal at the Gold Gala Fernanda Ribiero in Portugal. Kalkidan clocked a time of 29 minutes 50.77 seconds to meet the entry standard of 31:25.00 for the women’s race. Her time was also her personal best in the distance.

Kalkidan, who was celebrating her 30th birthday the same day, finished behind Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, who took first place in a world leading time of 29:39.42. Doreen Chesang of Uganda came third in 32:09.82 out of the 10-runner field. Kalkidan is a double Asian Games champion, having won the women’s 1,500m and 5,000m at the Jakarta Asiad in 2018. She is now one of Bahrain’s top medal hopefuls in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, also at the Gold Gala Fernanda Ribiero in Portugal on Saturday, Bahrain’s Dawit Fikadu won the bronze medal in the men’s 10,000m. Fikadu completed the race in 28:48.66, which unfortunately did not meet the entry standard of 27:28.00 for the Olympics. The Kenyan pair of Rhonex Kipruto and Shadrack Koech were first and second, respectively, in 27:11.01 and 27:59.19. A total of 16 participants competed in the race. Qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics for most of the track and field events continues until late June.