Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey Defends U-20 Crown at World Cross Country Championships in Kampala

Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey became the fourth woman to win back-to-back U-20 titles at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

The group that featured international competition debutants and those winding up their age-group careers, set off in the hot afternoon and by the 2km mark, the leading pack had already established itself comprising of six Kenyans and four Ethiopians.

As the course wound down, Kenya’s Hellen Lobun was in the lead with Chepsol and Gidey while the rest dropped pace.

Gidey made sure she kept close and timed her move with two kilometers left. The Ethiopian national cross country champion increased the pace and went on to win her second major international U-20 title.

Hawi Feysa won silver while Chespol finished with bronze while Peruth Chemutai a 2016 Olympian in the steeplechase running for hosts Uganda, finished seventh.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“The course was somehow challenging because of the grown grass and many barriers but am delighted with the victory,”[/perfectpullquote]

Gidey said.

Gidey now joins compatriot Genzebe Dibaba (2008 and 2009), Kenyans Viola Kibiwott (2001 and 2002) and Faith Kipyegon (2011 and 2013) to have successfully defended an U-20 female cross country title.

Featured photo: IAAF