Ethiopian girls dominate 3,000m at World U-18 athletics

Nairobi, July 13:  Ethiopia dashed hosts Kenya's hopes for a gold on the opening day of the World U-18 Championships as Abersh Minsewo clinched the girls' 3,000m title.

Minsewo finished in nine minutes 24.62 seconds on Wednesday night to overcome Kenya's title hopeful Emmaculate Chepkurui who was just seven hundredths of a second behind the winner, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The race was fantastic and I was confident I would win with one lap to go. However, it was a tactical race because of the rains and I think that is why I failed to lower my personal best," Minsewo said.

Chepkirui, the U20 world 5,000m silver medallist, admitted that she was disappointed.

"I really wanted to win gold for Kenya at home and had prepared well," Chepkirui.

"I am disappointed my tactics failed. I hoped to use my last energy to sprint but the winner was a better athlete," she said.

Yitayish Mekonene took the bronze after finishing in a time of 9:28.46. Beatrice Chebet of Kenya finished a distant fourth.

South Africa closed the day on top of the medal standings with one gold and one silver followed by Ethiopia and Germany, respectively, with the host country in fifth spot.

Organisers cancelled qualifications for boys' hammer throw due to weather conditions and entered all 18 athletes automatically in the final scheduled for Friday.