Balew 10th in men’s 10,000m final

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew claimed 10th overall last night in the men’s 10,000 metres final at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest. Running his first race of the season in the distance, Balew tried valiantly to keep up with the leaders throughout the race, but never realistically challenged for a medal position.

He started things off towards the back of the field and then in the final quarter of the race slowly moved up the order. In the final two laps, he put himself behind the leading group of nine athletes, but the leaders separated themselves at the bell.

Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda captured the gold medal in 27 minutes 51.42 seconds, while Daniel Simiu Ebenyo of Kenya took the silver in 27:52.60. Selemon Barega of Ethiopia completed the podium placers with bronze in 27:52.72. Balew completed the event in 28:08.03.

He will now have a few days’ rest before taking part in the men’s 5,000m. Those heats get underway on Thursday, with the final set for Sunday. Balew is joined by just three other athletes at this year’s worlds.

A squad of six was originally named, but 2019 women’s 400m world champion Salwa Eid Naser was forced to withdraw due to injury, and Abdi Ali Gelelchu faced visa issues that prevented him from taking part.

The other Bahraini athletes are 2017 women’s marathon world champion Rose Chelimo, 2016 world indoor champion in the women’s 400m Oluwakemi Adekoya and former Asian Games gold-medallist and two-time Asian champion Winfred Yavi. Oluwakemi begins her campaign today with her heats, starting at 7.50pm, Bahrain time, while Winfred will compete in her heats on Wednesday. Rose will run the women’s marathon on Saturday.