by Larry Eder
Kalkidan Gezahegne, World Indoor Champion, 1,500m, 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.
One of the brightest prospects for world track & field domination is one Kalkidan Gezahegne. Kalkidan is Ethiopian, and all of 19. In the span of six weeks in 2010, Kalkidan won the Boston Grand Prix 3,000 meters ( 8:46.19), set the world junior mile record at the AVIVA Birmingham British Grand Prix (4:24.10), and also won her first World Championship, in Doha, Qatar, winning the 1,500 meters in a world junior best of 4:03.28.
Astonishingly enough, Kalkidan had fallen in the rough and tumble 1,500 meter semi finals, got up, chased the pack, and made the final! The women is one tough competitor.
Among her other titles are 2008 World Junior Champ at 1,500 meters, 2009 African Junior Champs, silver medalist, 1,500 meters, and yes, World Junior record holder at mile and 1,500 meters!
Kalkidan will be running against a tough field in the 3,000 meters, including Jenny (Barringer) Simpson tomorrow night at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix! We hope that you like the interview!
RBR, #1: Are you running the 3,000m or 1,500m?
Kalkidan Gezahenge: I am running the 3,000 meters.
RBR, #2: What is your personal best at 3,000m?
Kalkidan Gezahenge: I have run 8:38. That was in Thessalonika, Greece.
RBR, #3: May I ask how old you are?
Kalkidan Gezahenge: (Smiling), I am 19.
RBR, #4: And who is your coach? How old were you when you began running?
Kalkidan Gezahenge: My coaches name is Dawit Zergan. I was sixteen when I began running.
RBR, #5: How many are in your training group?
Kalkidan Gezahenge: I work by myself with one pacemaker.
RBR, #6: Do you race alot outside of Ethiopia?
Kalkidan Gezahenge: I race mostly outside of Ethiopia.
RBR, #7: What are you hoping for tomorrow?
Kalkidan Gezahenge: I do not predict how fast I will run. I want a good race. It has been awhile since I raced, I want to be competitive.
RBR, #8: Where will you race next?
Kalkidan Gezahenge: In Birmingham, England.
RBR, #9: I saw you last year there, that was a great race!
Kalkidan Gezahenge: (Smiling). I set the world junior record in Birmingham for the mile last year. I was well trained. I felt real good.
RBR, #10: If you have the choice, between winning a race and setting a record, what would you choose?
Kalkidan Gezahenge: I would like to win the race (smiling).
Special thanks to Kalkidan Gezahenge and her manager, Mark Wetmore, for the time and interview. We encourage all to attend the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the Reggie Lewis Center.
For more information, please check NewBalanceIndoorGrandprix!
