Report23 Aug 2015


Report: women’s 1500m semi-finals – IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015

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Genzebe Dibaba wins her 1500m semifinal at the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 (© Getty Images)

Two rounds down, three to go in Genzebe Dibaba’s distance double mission.

The world record-holder took one step closer to 1500m glory after winning her semi-final in 4:06.74. Drawn in the second and quicker semi-final, Dibaba stayed out of danger near the back of the pack for much of the race.

Maureen Koster of the Netherlands led for most of the way, passing 400m in 1:08.68 and 800m in 2:20.97. 2011 world champion Jenny Simpson was always close behind the leaders, while Britain’s Laura Muir moved through the pack during the second lap.

Just as Muir joined Koster at the front with 500m to go, Dibaba swung out from the back of the pack and right into the front, closely tracked by Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon.

With a 58-second last lap, Dibaba held on to her lead to book her place in the final, winning in 4:06.74. Kipyegon finished a close second in 4:06.88 and looked as though she had more left in the tank.

Muir held on to her third-place finish to qualify by right. Fast-finishing Moroccan Rababe Arafi came through for fourth place while Simpson took the fifth and final automatic qualifying spot.

The first heat was slower, making it more difficult to progress to the final. Poland’s Sofia Ennaoui took the field through 400m in 1:11.60 and then Kenya’s Nancy Chepkwemoi hit the front, passing 800m in 2:25.45.

European champion Sifan Hassan then moved to the front with 430 metres to go as she began her sustained kick for home. USA’s Kerri Gallagher put in a spurt with little more than half a lap remaining, but it didn’t last long.

Instead it was Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum who clung to Hassan over the final 100 metres. With a final 300m of 42.23, Hassan held on to win in 4:15.38 with Seyaum just 0.08 behind. Defending champion Abeba Aregawi was a close third in 4:15.90.

Morocco’s Malika Akkaoui and USA’s Shannon Rowbury took the other automatic qualifying spots. Early leader Ennaoui made up significant ground down the home straight, but just missed out on making the final by 0.06.

Jon Mulkeen for the IAAF

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