Pamela Jelimo returns to her winning ways in Heusden-Zolder (© Nadia Verhoft)
Zolder, BelgiumOlympic champion Pamela Jelimo broke away from the field to win the 800m by a large margin at the KBC Night of Athletics in Heusden-Zolder on Saturday (18) night.
The Kenyan definitely showed improving form today and is confident about her gearing up towards the World Championships in Berlin in August. Hanane Ouhaddou from Morocco won the 3000m steeplechase in a close finish in 9:24.29 and Jonas Cheruiyot from Kenya took the 5000m in 13:07.47.
The KBC Night of Athletics is one of a select group of Area meetings at which points can be acquired by athletes to qualify for the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final, to be held on 12-13 September in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Jelimo passes return test
After being unbeaten in 12 consecutive races over 800m in 2008 Jelimo suffered two bad defeats in the start of this season. Tonight, the Kenyan Olympic champion passed her first big test with flying colours. With 550m to go Jelimo moved from fourth place into the lead and gradually increased the pace. She crossed the line in 1:59.59, leaving the pack well behind. Jelimo was happy and relieved after her race.
“My preparation started late this year. I was tired after the long 2008 season. Having competed in Rabat (2:02.46) and Eugene (2:05.57) in the early season it was clear that I needed to work on my endurance more. But there was never any doubt in my mind that I would come back at the highest level”, said Jelimo. “Today I wanted to test my finishing speed. That is why I stayed off the pace in the early stages of the race. At the Kenyan trials next week tactics can be equally important. To win a medal at the World Championships is Berlin is definitely my goal now.”
Steeple NR for Ouhaddou
Jessica Augusto from Portugal was the first to take the initiative in the 3000m Steeplechase. A leading group of seven athletes stayed together with 600m to go. 2007 World Champion Yekaterina Volkova from Russia took the lead at the bell but she was immediately countered by Hanane Ouhaddou who made it a long finishing sprint. The Moroccan had to work hard to hold off the challenge of Sofia Assefa (ETH) and Milca Chemos (KEN) but won the race with a new national record of 9:24.29.
“I set the previous national record when I won here in 2007. That is why I love this place and that I wanted to come back here and run well. It was very hard to compete in such windy conditions. Also, there was a lot of pushing and bumping. I even hit a barrier badly,” Ouhaddou said, pointing to her bloodied shin. “Tomorrow I return to Morocco and start preparing for the World Championships. I want to run well in Berlin.”
Cheruiyot wins the 5000m
A leading group of nine athletes crossed the 3000m mark in 7:52 in the men’s 5000m. But only five were left after the damage done by Essa Ismail Rached (QAT) and Lucas Kimeli Rotich (KEN). In the end Jonas Cheruiyot had the finishing speed to beat Matt Tegenkamp (USA) and Josphat Bett Kipkoech (KEN) in 13:07.47.
Nathan Brannen from Canada emerged as a winner in the 1500m in 3:36.53 while Ali Belal Mansoor from Bahrain kicked to glory in the 800m in 1:45.26. Tareq Mubarak Taher cruised to victory in the 3000m steeplechase in 8:15.83.
Bolshakova delights home crowd
Svetlana Bolshakova took advantage of the huge support of her home crowd to win the Triple Jump. The 25-year-old former Russian jumped to a wind aided 14.46m (+2,2m) but abandoned the competition after the fourth round. “My ankle is still healing from surgery. I felt some pain and I didn’t want to take any risk. This gives me a boost of confidence, there is more to come. I thank the fans for their support.” Dana Veldakova (SVK) finished second with 14.16w.
Vociferously appreciated Belgian wins came from Damien Broothaerts in the 110m Hurdles in 13.61, Kevin Borlée in the 400m (46.31) and Kevin Rans in the Pole Vault (5.66m).
Local favourite Eline Berings didn’t quite live up to the expectations of the local fans. The European 60m Hurdles indoor champion was the fastest off the blocks but finally finished fifth in a race won by American Tiffany Ofili in a PB of 12.92.
Tahesia Hennigan (IVB) took the 100m in a wind aided 11.14 while Charonda Williams (USA) took the 200m in 22.83w.
Andrei Mikhnevich from Belarus was the strongest on the infield, winning the Shot Put with a 20.69m heave ahead of Maris Urbans (LAT) with 19.77m.
Ivo Hendrix for the IAAF
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