APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Gudaf Tsegay broke the 5000m world record, clocking 14:00.21 to claim the title with a groundbreaking performance at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Eugene.
The finishing time on Sunday was Gudaf’s second senior world record of her career and her first outdoor, according to the sport’s governing body -World Athletics (WA).
At Hayward Field, the world 10,000m champion took almost five seconds off the world record of 14:05.20 set by Faith Kipyegon at the Paris Diamond League back in June.
A fast time had been on the cards and world indoor 1500m record-holder Gudaf delivered in the second track final of a packed second day of action.
The pacemakers led through 1000m in 2:48.08 and 2000m in 5:37.24, before Gudaf’s compatriot Birke Haylom reached 3000m in front in 8:26.03 – well on world record pace. The 17-year-old, however, could not complete the race.
However, Gudaf – looking composed and determined – forged ahead, reaching 4000m in 11:16.89.
She only had Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet for company at that point but she later left the two-time world medallist behind, too, as she strode away targeting another historic performance.
Gudaf created a gap on Chebet with two laps to go and by the back straight she had stormed ahead of the lights indicating a world record pace.
She reached the bell at around 12:55 and with the crowd on their feet and the clock ticking towards 14 minutes, she crossed the line just after that – in 14:00.21. Chebet was second in 14:05.92.
MG/as/APA