byJustin Lagat
Sifan Hassan, photo by Photo run
Hellen Obiri, photo by Photorun
Justin opines a bit on the 5000m and 1,500m, which have finals on Saturday night.
The chances for Hellen Obiri to defend her 5000m world title slightly improved today after Sifan Hassan finally settled on the 1500m instead. Hellen Obiri who was disappointed by finishing outside the medal bracket in the women’s 10,000m event was back in action, winning the first heat of the women’s 5000m races in a time of 14:52.13. This became the fastest time of the evening and must have served to give Obiri the confidence she will need in the final on Saturday.
Faith Kipyegon, who is the defending champion in the women’s 1500m race, got to meet with Sifan Hassan in the first heat. However, there was little to reveal who was stronger between the two as both did not show any signs of straining as the easily finished in the first two positions. Hassan ran 4:03.88 ahead of Kipyegon in 4:03.93. The final of this event will be an exciting race between the two.
Rababe Arafi of Morocco won the second heat in 4:08.32 ahead of Kenya’s Winnie Chebet in 4:08.36. The third heat went to Jenny Simpson to USA in 4:07.27, just ahead of Canada’s Gabriela Debues-Stafford in 4:07.28.
