Hellen Obiri is the African Champion
12th August 2014 – After missing out on a medal at the recent Commonwealth Games, Hellen Obiri (KEN) bounced back in the best possible way by winning the African Championships 1500m.
In another slow and tactical championship final the field jostled for position round two opening laps of 69 seconds and 71 seconds. On the third lap the tempo slightly increased to a 67 second lap but this saw Obiri cruise into the lead with 350m to run. Over the final 300m Hellen showed the strength and speed that has made her the fastest women in the world over 3000m this year to destroy the competition. She crossed the line in 4:09.53, over a second ahead of the runner up and having covered the final 300m in 41.67 seconds.
Two days previously Thomas Ayeko (UGA) finished tenth in the 10,000m.
On the first day of European Championships in Zurich, 400m runners Christine Ohuruogu (GBR) and Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) both progressed to tomorrow’s semi-finals, but there was disappointment for 800m pair Andrew Osagie (GBR) and Michael Rimmer (GBR) as they failed to make it through.
Article Tags: Andrew Osagie, Christine Ohuruogu, Hellen Obiri, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Michael Rimmer, Thomas Ayeko