Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal held on to claim her first world championship title with victory in a close-fought 1,500 metres final on Sunday. The Ethiopian-born runner struck for home with 300 metres to go but Russian Yelena Soboleva stayed with her and Jamal needed every ounce of strength to hold her lead, crossing the line for gold in three minutes 58.75 seconds.
"I am extremely happy," the 22-year-old, who was born Zenebech Tola Eth, told reporters. "This makes up for Helsinki when I was in good shape but I was pushed (and finished fifth). I'm certain if that hadn't happened, even if I hadn't won, I would have medalled."
Unlike many of the other African athletes who have flocked to represent Arabian Gulf states, Jamal turned to Bahrain only after being refused citizenship by Switzerland, where she had claimed political asylum. "This will give me a lot of confidence for the Olympics," she added. Soboleva had set off from the front and led for most of the race before winning silver in 3:58.99.
"I was fighting to the end but she was better today," she said. "If I could run this final again, I would not change anything in my tactics." Ukraine's Iryna Lischynska was close to tears after winning the bronze medal in 4:00.69.
"During the last 100 metres I was telling myself, 'quicker, quicker, quicker," she said. "This is the best day of my career." Double defending 1,500 metres champion Tatyana Tomashova missed the championships through injury.
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