Bahrain runners impress at athletics worlds

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Shumi Decahsa put in a strong challenge for a medal yesterday to finish in the top 10 of the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships 2022, being held in Eugene, Oregon in the US. Also yesterday, Bahraini sprinter Edidiong Odiong booked her place in the semi-finals of the women’s 100 metres to keep her medal hopes alive amongst the best elite sprinters from across the globe.

Dechasa and Edidiong are part of a four-athlete national team going for gold at the worlds. In the men’s marathon, Dechasa did well to pace himself amongst the leading pack for much of the 42.2-kilometre race distance.

He was at the very front at various stages of the run, last of which came with just 10km to go. He fell behind towards the end but was still able to claim a strong ninth-place finish while clocking a season’s best time of two hours 07 minutes 52 seconds. That mark is not far off his personal best in the marathon of 2:06:43, which he clocked way back in 2014. Decahsa crossed the finish line not far behind the medallists.

Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia clinched the gold with a championship record of 2:05:36, while his countryman Mosinet Geremew won silver in 2:06:44. Bashir Abdi of Belgium took home the bronze medal in 2:06:48. A total of 66 athletes took part in the men’s marathon, 12 of whom did not finish. Dechasa was the lone Bahraini participant.

Meanwhile, Edidiong booked her place in the women’s 100m semi-finals after finishing third in her first-round heat. The top three from each of the seven heats secure an automatic place in the semis, along with the next three fastest athletes. In a hotly contested race, Edidiong powered to third place with a time of 11.28 seconds.

She finished marginally behind Aleia Hobbs from the US, who won in 11.04s, while Michelle-Lee Ahye from Trinidad and Tobago was the runner-up in 11.18s. A total of 24 athletes made it through to the semi-finals, which are to be divided into three races, scheduled to be held early today morning starting at 4.33am, Bahrain time.

Only the first two finishers from each heat, plus the next two fastest athletes, will move on to the medal round, which will be held later today morning. Edidiong will be competing in the second semi-final race.

She is set to face world number oneranked Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica, Melissa Jefferson of the US, Manqi Ge of China, Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland, Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast, Ewa Swoboda of Poland and Anthonique Strachan of the Bahamas.