The 2019 World 10,000m silver medallist, Yomif Kejelcha edged out the World Cross Country champion, Jacob Kiplimo in a thrilling 5000m photo-finish race at the Oslo Diamond League held on Thursday (15) night in Oslo, Norway.
Kejelcha and Kiplimo both shared the same time with a World Lead, a Meeting Record and a personal best as they crashed the previous Meet Record time of 12:52.26 set by Ethiopia running legend Kenenisa Bekele with a new time of 12:41.73.
“I expected the finish to be like this – fight until the end. But I am glad I got it. The most important thing is to work hard & with the hard work, you build up the self-confidence. And I really work hard, that is the key,” said Kejelcha.
The 2019 World Champion fourth finisher Telahun Haile Bekele from Ethiopia broke the 12:50 barrier for the first time in his career as he wrapped up the podium three finishes in 12:46.21.
United States Joe Klecker and Spain’s Luis Grijalva came home in fourth and fifth place in respective time of 12:56.59 and 12:56.63.
Spanish-Burundian, Thierry Ndikumweanayo finished a distant sixth in a new personal best of 12:58.60.
The first Kenyan to cross the finish line was the World Cross Country U20 Champion, Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui who finished in eighth place in a new personal best of 13:05.47
LEADING RESULTS
5000M MEN
- Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 12:41.73 MR WL PB
- Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 12:41.73 MR WL PB
- Telahun Bekele (ETH) 12:46.21 PB
- Joe Klecker (USA) 12:56.59
- Luis Grijalva (GUA) 12:56.63 PB
Facebook Comments