Genzebe Dibaba storms to 1500m win at world championships

Adam Kszczot of Poland was about a second behind in silver and Amel Tuka of Bosnia and Herzegovina won the bronze medal. “It’s great to have such a strong performance”.

Men’s long jump: The Olympic champion, Greg Rutherford of Great Britain, did it again in Beijing, taking gold after a seasonal best at 8.41. Especially after all those disappointments I had this year.

Dibaba’s split of 1:57 for those final 800-meters would be right with Kenyan Eunice Sum’s 1:56.99 world-leading time for the open 800 in 2015.

But a second kick 200m from the line saw Dibaba stretch away to win in 4min 08.09sec, Kipyegon taking silver in 4:09.96 and fast-finishing Ethiopian-born Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan third in 4:09.34.

Tula’s trademark electric last 30-meter finish came too late, not even able to catch the Pole, with Rudisha clean home.

“It actually means more to me than the 100m”, said the world record holder, who recovered from pelvic trouble just in time to deliver positive headlines after allegations of widespread doping engulfed the sport.

Kenya’s former world junior champion Faith Kipyegon was the only runner to stay with Dibaba over the last 400 and took silver in 4.08.96.

Rutherford, who won Olympic gold on “Super Saturday” in London, proved himself a championship performer of the highest class by securing a full set of major titles with a leap of 8.41m, his best of the year.

“I have been dreaming of this for a long time”.

Fabrice Lapierre took silver with a jump of 8.24-meters.

The peerless Ethiopian runner looked classy and unfazed by the pressure in the Bird’s Nest Stadium in the Chinese capital as he turned up the speed on the second lap to pull clear.

In the men’s 800 meters, Kenya’s David Rudisha claimed his second world title with a smart tactical race.

The Olympic champion and world-record holder will wear a specially designed cooling hood over the two-day competition that begins Friday. “I was comfortable but it still doesn’t stop me from being exhausted”.

The 2012 Olympic champion didn’t defend his world title in Moscow in 2013 because of a knee injury that sidelined him for much of the season and was still working back into form ahead of the worlds.

Gatlin admitted defeat in the 100m had taken an emotional toll on him but he certainly looked in good shape physically as he ran 20.19 to win his heat.