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Defar Delivers on 2 Mile World Best

Posted September 14th, 2007 at 7:43 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Meseret Defar after her race in Brussels In a stunning display of powerful solo running, Meseret Defar crushed her own world best in the 2 miles to highlight the 31st edition of the Memorial Van Damme in Brussels tonight.

Defar, the reigning world and Olympic champion in the 5000m, broke from Kenyan Priscah Jepleting with three laps to go to cross the line in 8:58.58, nearly 12 second under the previous best she ran at the adidas Track Classic in Carson, Calif., in May.

“My plan was for 8:55,” said Defar, not in the least bit surprised by her fleet footedness before a wildly enthusiastic crowd of 47,500 at the Belgian capital’s King Baudouin Stadium.

Underscoring her impressive performance, the 23-year-old clocked 8:24.81 for 3000m en route to her win, an Ethiopian national record and the fastest performance over the distance this year.

It was the fourth world record or best for Defar this season, who late last month cruised to her first world title in Osaka. “Yes, this season has been great,” a beaming Defar said. For her efforts, she also won a Hyundai car. “Now I have to get a driver’s license when I go home,” she said, casting a wide smile.

Covering the first mile in about 4:33 while tailed by Jepleting, Defar closed in just over 61 seconds for the final lap. Jepleting held on for second in 9:14.09 (8:37.92 at 3000m), with Sylvia Kibet, fourth in the 5000 in Osaka, third in 9:16.62.

As Defar celebrated, Kenenisa Bekele realized early on in the 10,000m that his 26:17.53 world record would survive for yet another day. Alone after just nine laps, Bekele had only the raucous sell-out crowd and the mainstay African drum corps for support. But on this night, that supporting cast wouldn’t be enough.

When he reached the midway point in just under 13:14, three second slower than two years ago, Bekele found himself forced to trudge onward solo to keep his unbeaten streak in the event, which dates back to June 2003, intact. Tiring rapidly with five laps to go, he looked at the stadium screen and realized that his record bid had turned into a race.

“With five laps to go, my manager told me to find some courage, that I can catch him,” said 21-year-old Moses Masai, who spent the latter stages of the race slowly reeling in the Ethiopian superstar. With two laps to go, Masai was just 10 meters behind, well within striking distance. But with a late race burst, Bekele managed to fend off his challenger over the final lap.

“When there were three laps left, I saw him on the screen,” said Bekele, who crossed the line in 26:46.19. “But I wasn’t worried that much.”

Despite his efforts, Bekele said he wasn’t disappointed. “It’s a world lead for this year. I’m not disappointed. I said that I’d try and the record is still mine. I have many more opportunities. I’m still young.”

Masai, a former Kenyan junior standout, was pleased with his 26:49.20 career best, by his own admission a big confidence booster.

“The last lap I tried to catch to him,” Masai, the 2005 African junior 5000 and 10,000m champion, said. “But I didn’t have the energy. But now I have the courage. I do not fear anybody. Because I now realize that even me, I can make it.”

(Note: For more on Masai, please see my story for the IAAF.)

Unlike the tighter immediate post-Osaka schedule in Zurich last weekend, the Brussels leg of the Golden League featured a packed program for fans of the middle and long distances in what has become, over all, the most entertaining show among the Golden League fixtures.

In a quality men’s 5000, the season’s sub-13-minute drought came to a crashing halt. Prior to tonight, only Bekele dipped under that still-venerable barrier in 2007, and his world-leading 12:46.53 from July would survive. But the race was a tight one, with five men still in contention over the final two laps. Eliud Kipchoge, the Osaka silver medallist, did quite a bit of the work, but was run down by Sileshi Sihine over the final 50 meters, with the Ethiopian taking the win in 12:50.16 to nab his second Golden League victory of the season. Kipchoge held on for second (12:50.38), while Moses Kipsiro, finishing third, lowered the Ugandan record to 12:50.72; the top seven all dipped under 13 minutes.

In the 800, world junior champion David Rudisha displayed racing skills that belie his 18 years. Striding confidently over the final 300 meters, the Kenyan cruised to a clear 1:44.15 win, a career best, well ahead of quick closing Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, who clocked 1:44.40.

In the 1500, Daniel Kipchirchir Komen snapped out of his season-long funk with a solid victory, clocking 3:32.67 ahead of Moroccan Mohamed Moustaoui. World championships runner-up Rashid Ramzi ran out of steam over the final 200 meters and drifted back to finish a distant sixth (3:36.20).

The steeplechase was tabbed a battle between Paul Kipsiele Koech, the world leader, and Brimin Kipruto, the world champion, and in the end, it was. At least until about 700 meters to go when Koech built an insurmountable lead en route to his 7:58.80 victory, another world leader. Kipruto didn’t get his sub-8, but did lower his career best to 8:02.89 for second. Finishing fifth was American Steve Slattery with a personal best 8:15.69.

For the third consecutive race, Maryam Yusef Jamal decisively defeated Yelena Soboleva, this time in the mile. The Bahraini world champion was at the front from the outset, for the first two-and-a-half laps behind pacer Natalya Patelyeva, before blasting to an insurmountable lead over the final lap. The 22-year-old was rewarded with an Asian record 4:17.75, with Soboleva a distant second (4:21.16).

“My coach told to try all kinds of things to beat Jamal this year,” said Soboleva, the season’s fastest at both the 1500 and mile. “Nothing helps. She is simply too strong at the moment.”

With their victories in the 400m and pole vault, respectively, American Sanya Richards and Russian Yelena Isinbayeva stayed alive in the chase for the $1 million Golden League Jackpot. The six-meet series concludes at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday afternoon, where a crowd of 70,000 is expected.

PHOTO: Meseret Defar after her race in Brussels. Photo by Bob Ramsak.