Yomi Omogbeja (13/07/2004)

Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu has set a new championship record of 15:21.52 to win the women’s 5000m in Grosseto.

The 19-year-old led Malawian Chikwakwa Catherine (15:36.22) and Japanese Iwamoto Chiaki (15:39.59) from the second kilometre to become the first world junior champion of 2004.

Melkamu said after the race she was happy and confident she was capable of winning the race.

The Addis Ababa-based runner is capable of running on all surfaces and has her sight set on even more medals at this championship.

“I want two gold medals from Grosseto! The 3000m should be next,” she declared.

She was also the 2004 World Junior Cross Country champion and had been a regular face at the IAAF one-day meetings - the Golden leagues and the Grand Prix- this year

“I enjoy running cross country races as much as track races. Until March I concentrated on the cross and after my title I just switched to track training,” she said.

History books

According to the IAAF records, Melkamu is the third Ethiopian woman to clinch the world junior 5000m titles since the event was introduced in 1996.

She succeeded compatriot Meseret Defar who won the 3000m-5000m double in Kingston two years ago.

Second-placed Catherine Chikwakwa was delighted with her efforts as she sets a new national junior record and became the first ever-Malawian representative to clinch a medal in a global championship.

“I came here knowing that Malawi had never won a medal in World athletics so I am thrilled. I hope this makes everyone at home very happy.”