Ethiopian breaks marathon record

Ethiopian Tigst Assefa became the first woman to break the 2:12 barrier in marathon history when she clocked 2:11:53 in the Berlin Marathon. She likewise broke the world record of 2:14:04 set by Kenyan Brigid Kosgei in the Chicago Marathon in 2019. Asefa ran her first marathon in Riyadh in March 2022 then won Berlin in 2:15:37. Kenya’s Sheila Chepkiru was a distant second in 2:17:53 while Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri was third in 2:18:41. Then five Ethiopians occupied fourth to eighth places, Zeineba Yimer came in fourth in 2:19:07, Sembere Teferi, fifth in 2:19:21, Dera Dida sixth in 2:19:40, and Helen Bekele eight in 2:19:44. Great Britain’s Charlotte Purdue pocketed ninth in 2:22:17 and another Kenyan Firrte Wereta rounded the top 10 in 2:23:01. Wow that’s almost a sweep by the Ethiopians, seven runners in the top 10.

Kipchoge rules men's race

Defending champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya added another title to his four Berlin  Marathon crowns when he won in 2:02:42. Kipchoge failed to break his own world record set in the same Berlin Marathon in 2011. He also won in 2014, 2017, 2022 and this year, smashing the world record  twice. While the Ethiopians dominated the distaff side, it was the Kenyans who reigned supreme in the men’s race. Vincent Kiplemo finished second in 2:03:13 while Ethiopian Tadase Takele settled for third in 2:03:24.  Fourth placer  was Ronald Korir (Kenya-2:04:22) 5th, Haptu Teklu (Ethiopia- 2:04:42)6th, Anduaem  Belay  Shiperaw (Ethiopia 2:04:44) 7th, Amos Kipruto (Kenya 2:04:49), 8th, Philemon KIplimo (Kenya- 2:04:56) 9th, Amanal Petros ( Germany) and 10th, Bonface Kiplimo (Kenya - 2:05:05).  The best placed American finisher was Jared Ward who ranked 27th.

Asian games debacles

As I write this column, it looks like we are looking at a dismal finish in the ongoing  Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. 2018 Asian Games skateboard champion Margielyn Didal crashed in her event after she placed eighth and last. She fell from her skateboard several times and pointed to her surgery 11 months ago as the reason for her bad performance.  Next to fall was Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio, who lost via split decision to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu Ting in the 57 kilogram bout. Of course, we are missing world gymnast champion Caloy Yulo who skipped the Games to participate in the World Artistic Championship in Antwerp, Belgium. Pole vaulter, EJ Obiena, however, won our first gold medal when he ruled his event with a 5.90m vault, breaking the Asian Games record.

Obiena thus ended a 29-year medal and 37-year gold drought in athletics. The last Filipino to win in the Asian Games was Elma Muros, who won bronze in the women’s long jump in 1994. Also expected to deliver another gold is Olympian Hidilyn Diaz who will compete in weightlifting. We are also expecting boxers Carlo Paalam, silver medalist in the last Games, and Eumir Marcial to deliver the gold medals.