By Steve Campbell, World-Track
BERLIN — Celebrating with 100metres to go in the event Kenenisa Bekele won his fourth world title over 10,000 metres with another hammering performance at the World Championships in Berlin on Monday.
The Ethiopian backed off the pace in his early laps before dashing to the front with one lap to go, a move that saw him floating away from his closest challenger, Eritrean Zersenay Tadese, on his way to setting a championships record of 26-minutes and 45.11 seconds.
"It’s great to win for the fourth time. I am so happy. I planned already to stay behind until one lap is left, and then kick," Bekele said.
Tadese was second in 26:50.12, while Kenya’s Moses Masai ran home strong for the bronze in 26:57.39.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Marta Domínguez clocked a world leading 9:07.32 to win the women’s 3,000m Steeplechase.
Domínguez fought her away through the pack on the last lap to take the event over Russia’s Yuliya Zarudneva (9:08.39) and Kenya’s Milcah Chemos Cheywa (9:08.57), who both ran personal bests for silver and bronze, respectively.
"I liked the pace of the race. But when Ghribi changed the pace I got nervous," Domínguez said.
"But I pushed myself to stay with her and Galkina. When I ran side by side with Galkina I realized that she was not breathing good and so I knew that I had a medal for sure."
Russian favourite Gulnara Galkina suffered breathing problem and faded into fourth with a seasonal best of 9:11.09, with Jennifer Barringer setting an American and Area record of 9:12.50 for fifth.
In field event competitions, Slovenia’s Primož Kozmus capitalized on a faulty day by Hungarian favourite Krisztián Pars.
Kozmus threw 80.84m to take the gold over Poland’s Szymon Ziólkowski (79.30m) and Russia’s Aleksey Zagornyi (78.09m).
"I would have liked to throw a better mark, but I am happy I won," Kozmus said.
The women’s triple went to none other than the defending champion Yargeris Savigne, who led home a Cuban 1-2 finish.
Savigne jumped 14.95m for the gold to beat Mabel Gay (14.61m) and Russian Anna Pyatykh (14.58m).
